John Blair Scribner
John Blair Scribner (June 4, 1850 – January 21, 1879) was the president of Charles Scribner's Sons from 1871 to 1879.[1]
John Blair Scribner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Charles Scribner's Sons | |
| In office 1871–1879 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Scribner I |
| Succeeded by | Charles Scribner II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 4, 1850 Manhattan |
| Died | January 21, 1879 (aged 28) Manhattan |
| Spouse | |
| Parent(s) | Charles Scribner I Emma Elizabeth Blair |
| Relatives | Arthur Hawley Scribner (brother) Charles Scribner II (brother) John Insley Blair (grandfather) |
| Education | Princeton University |
Early life
Scribner was born on June 4, 1850 in New York City. He was the eldest son of Charles Scribner I and Emma Elizabeth Blair (1827-1869). Among his brothers were Arthur Hawley Scribner and Charles Scribner II.[1]
His grandfather and namesake was John Insley Blair. He attended Princeton College, but did not graduate, but instead he came to work at Charles Scribner Company with his father.[1]
Career
Upon the death of his father in August 1871, Charles Scribner and Co. was reorganized as Scribner, Armstrong, and Co. with John as president.[1] The partners in the new firm were John Blair Scribner, Andrew C. Armstrong, and Edward Seymour. In 1877, the publication house moved to 743 Broadway. Upon Seymour's death in April 1877, and Armstrong's retirement in 1878, the firm-name was changed to Charles Scribner's Sons. After John died in 1879, the business was run by his younger brothers, Charles and Arthur.[2]
Personal life
He married Lucy Ann Skidmore (1853-1931), a daughter of Lucy Ann (née Hawley) Skidmore and coal merchant Joseph Russell Skidmore. After his death, she established "The Young Women's Industrial Club" in Saratoga Springs, New York, which in 1911, was renamed the "Skidmore School of Arts," eventually becoming what is known today as Skidmore College.[3][4]
Scribner died of pneumonia on January 21, 1879, at the age of 28. According to his obituarist, just before he died, Scribner told his brother, Charles Scribner II, "Cheer up old fellow. You always look on the dark side. I shall soon be all right again."[1] His funeral was held at the Church of the Covenant on January 23, 1879.[5]
References
- "John Blair Scribner Dead" (PDF). New York Times. January 21, 1879. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
John Blair Scribner, the senior partner of the publishing-house of Charles Scribner's Sons, died at his residence, No. 21 East Forty-eighth-street, at 5 o'clock last evening of pneumonia. Mr. Scribner contracted the disease a short time before the holidays, but recovered from the attack after a few days' illness, and was at his place of business up to Thursday of last week.
- Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1900). . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.
- "Mrs. Scribner Dies. Skidmore Founder. Widow of John Blair Scribner Succumbs After Long Illness at Age of 77. Known as Philanthropist. Gifts to Girls' College She Started and Whose Trustees She Headed Put at $1,000,000". New York Times. May 4, 1931. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
Mrs. Lucy Skidmore Scribner, widow of John Blair Scribner, died yesterday afternoon at her home at 791 North Broadway after having been in poor health for several months. Her age was 77.
- "Died". Time. May 11, 1931. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
Mrs. Lucy Skidmore Scribner, 77, founder and board chairman of Skidmore College at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skidmore School of Arts founded in 1911, changed to Skidmore College in 1922), relict of John Blair Scribner who was the eldest son of Charles Scribner (books); in Saratoga Springs.
- "The Late John Blair Scribner". New York Times. January 24, 1879. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
The funeral services over the remains of the late John Blair Scribner were numerously attended yesterday afternoon at the Church of the Covenant, Park-avenue and Thirty-fifth-street.