The Life of WILLIAM THAW
WILLIAM THAW, SR. (1818-1889). William Thaw was born in Pittsburgh and his first job was a clerk in his father, John's, bank. Ultimately, it would be his interests in transportation by river and rail that would earn him his astounding fortune. Thaw was a large shareholder in the Pennsylvania Company which owned, operated and developed the Pennsylvania Railroad - a major influence on commerce and not only the development of Pittsburgh but also greater westward expansion. Thaw gave generously to the sciences and higher education, perhaps most notably funding the Allegheny Observatory for John Brashear. The Thaw Telescope is named in his honor.
Thaw married twice, first to Eliza Burd Blair Thaw, who bore him five children, including Benjamin Thaw, Sr. who would follow in his fathers footsteps and have two sons, both decorated WWI Veterans. Eliza's death resulted in a second marriage, this time to Mary Sibbet Copley Thaw, with whom he also had children, including Harry Kendall Thaw, the notorious society playboy who married "it girl" Evelyn Nesbit and famously murdered her former lover, Stanford White, in the middle of a cabaret performance with a packed audience at Madison Square Garden.
The Thaw's Pittsburgh mansion was named "Lyndhurst" and was famous for its castle-like presence on Beechwood Boulevard and for the many priceless luxuries contained therein.
