George Peabody

This article is about George Peabody, a dry goods merchant and philanthropist in the northern United States, founder of the Peabody Institute. For information about George Peabody, the banker and philanthropist in the southern United States associated with Peabody College and the Peabody Award, see George Foster Peabody.

George Peabody (February 18, 1795 - November 4, 1869) was an entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Peabody Institute. He was born in Danvers, Massachusetts to a middle class family.

While serving as a volunteer in the War of 1812, Peabody met Elisha Riggs, who, in 1814, provided financial backing for the wholesale dry goods firm of Peabody, Riggs, and Company.

In 1816, Peabody moved to Baltimore, where he would live for 20 years.