biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1907–99)
|
| biography:
| Art collector and philanthropist, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, the son of Andrew Mellon. A graduate of Yale University (1929), he also studied English literature at Cambridge University, starting his art collection there, and presiding over his father's Washington art collection (1937–9). He served in the cavalry during World War 2. As chairman of two foundations set up to dispense the family fortune, he made generous gifts to several universities, also serving as president of the National Gallery of Art (1963–79). In 1966 he presented Yale with his $35 million collection of British and French art, with additional funding to build and maintain an art study complex. Also a noted horseman, his stable won many of the world's major races. |
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