The Biographical Dictionary of America/Avery, Samuel P.

AVERY, Samuel P., art connoisseur, was born in New York city, March 17, 1822; son of S. P. and Hannah Ann Avery. After receiving a public-school education he entered the service of a bank-note company to learn the art of engraving. Subsequently he took up wood-engraving, and was engaged for many years in making illustrations for leading periodicals, and in compiling books which he illustrated and published. He was an enthusiastic advocate of the development of an American school of art, and in 1867 was appointed commissioner in charge of the American fine arts department at the Paris exhibition. In 1868 he established himself in New York as an art dealer, and became prominently identified with the art interests of the country. He made frequent visits to Europe, and was the means of introducing the works of many renowned foreign artists into American galleries. He was largely instrumental in establishing the Metropolitan museum of art, was a trustee of that institution from its foundation in 1870, chairman of its art committee, and a contributor of many valuable additions to its collections. He was a member of the Union League, Century and other clubs, president of the Grolier club, and a life member of the historical, geographical, archæological, and kindred societies of New York. He founded the Avery architectural library at Columbia college, in memory of his son, Henry Ogden Avery, who was a promising architect, and who died April 30, 1890. He served for many years as a trustee of the Astor library, the Tilden Foundation and the New York public library. He is the author of "Progress of the Fine Arts in New York during Fifty Years," in Lossing's "History of New York City." Columbia college conferred upon him the degree of M. A. in 1896, "for services to art and the art interests of this country."