Paul Mellon

Paul Mellon 1907-99, American philanthropist and art collector, b. Pittsburgh. The son of Andrew W. Mellon , he attended Yale (B.A., 1929) and Clare College, Cambridge (A.B., 1931). He worked briefly at Mellon Bank but left (1936) business to devote himself to American cultural interests. Over six decades he donated roughly $1 billion to national institutions and projects. He oversaw the construction of the National Gallery of Art , conceived by his late father as a gift to the American people, and in 1941 presented it to the nation together with his father's art collection. Serving on its board for more than 40 years, he was its president (1938-39, 1963-79) and chairman (1979-85). Mellon commissioned I. M. Pei to design its East Building (1978) and over the years gave the museum more than 900 works. He also created the Yale Center for Studies in British Art (1972) and its sister museum (1977) and chose Louis Kahn as its architect. Mellon, who established the Old Dominion (1941) and Bollingen (1942) foundations, also supported various universities, libraries, environmental causes, and arts, education, and public health organizations.

Bibliography: See his Reflections in a Silver Spoon: A Memoir (1992).

Mellon, Andrew W. (1855–1937). American businessman, public official, art collector, and philanthropist. A banker and steel, coke, and oil magnate, he became secretary to the US treasury (1921–32), ambassador to England (1932–3), and one of the richest men in the world. In 1937, shortly before his death, he donated his collection (particularly rich in Dutch and English painting) to the nation, together with funds to build a gallery to house them, thus creating the National Gallery of Art in Washington (opened 1941). His son, Paul Mellon (1907–99), was also one of the greatest collectors of his generation, his main field of interest being British art. In 1966 he founded the Yale Center for British Art at New Haven. Opened in 1977, the Center is not only a major gallery, but also a research institution, with important collections of books and photographs. Its sister institution, the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art was established in London in 1970. It is an educational charity whose purpose is to advance the study of British art, mainly by sponsorship of publications and support of research.

Mellon, Andrew W. (b Pittsburgh, 24 Mar. 1855; d Southampton, NY, 26 Aug. 1937). American businessman, public official, art collector, and philanthropist. A banker and steel, coke, and oil magnate, he became secretary to the US Treasury (1921–32), ambassador to England (1932–3), and one of the richest men in the world. In 1937, shortly before his death, he donated his collection (particularly rich in Dutch and British painting) to the nation, together with funds to build a gallery to house them, thus creating the National Gallery of Art in Washington, which opened in 1941. Some of the finest works he owned, including Raphael's Alba Madonna, had been sold from the Hermitage by the Soviet government. His son Paul Mellon (b Pittsburgh, 11 June 1907; d Upperville, Va., 1 Feb. 1999) was also one of the greatest collectors of his generation, his main field of interest being British art. In 1966 he founded the Yale Center for British Art at New Haven. Opened in 1977, the Center is not only a major gallery, but also a research institution, with important collections of books and photographs. Its sister institution, the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, was established in London in 1970. It is an educational charity whose purpose is to advance the study of British art and architecture, mainly by sponsorship of publications and support of research.