Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Collins, Henry, 1699-1764 |
Notes |
Henry Collins (1699-1764), Richard Ward's half-brother, was a Newport merchant in the cordage business, philanthropist, and patron of the arts. Among his many contributions to the city of Newport was the donation of land on which the Redwood Library was built (Collins served as one of the Directors of the Redwood Library 1748-61). He commissioned Feke to paint portraits of a number of his contemporaries. Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse (subject of painting #3 in Redwood Library collection) referred to Collins as the "Lorenzo de Medici of Rhode Island". Collins is also the subject of painting #149 in the Redwood collection. He died in the care of his friend, Ebenezer Flagg (subject of painting #152 also by Feke), unmarried and bankrupt. (Annals 27). Significance: Henry Collins donated the land for the Library. |
