The New International Encyclopædia/Welsh, John

WELSH, John (1805-86). An American merchant, born in Philadelphia. He was educated in that city and became prominent in business there. For many years he had an active interest in public affairs. During the Civil War he promoted measures of relief and in 1864 became president of the Philadelphia Sanitary Fair, which raised $1,080,000 for army hospitals and ambulances. In 1873 Welsh was elected president of the board of finance of the Centennial Exposition and was chosen at each subsequent election. To his executive ability the success of the Exposition was largely due, and his services were recognized by the city in a subscription of $50,000. With this he endowed the John Welsh chair of English literature at the University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed Minister to Great Britain in 1878, but resigned in the following year.