Marshall Owen Roberts
Marshall Owen Roberts (March 22, 1813 – September 11, 1880) was an American merchant, financier, railroad man, and prominent art collector. Early life Roberts was born on March 22, 1813, in New York City. He was the son of Welsh born Dr. Owen Roberts and Mrs. (née Newell) Roberts, who was from Birmingham, England. His father, who came to New York in 1798, died four years after Marshall was born. Roberts received a common school education in New York City where he "was characterized by his strong common sense, his natural shrewdness, his pluck, and his boldness." Career Roberts was "one of the foremost businessman of his day." He was a leader in gigantic railroads and operated and built steamships, including the Hendrick Hudson, the largest steam vessel navigating the Hudson River at that time. He started his career, however, as a ship chandler at 36 West Street in 1833. Roberts was aided in his career by Robert C. Wetmore (a Whig) and Prosper Wetmore (a Democrat), wealthy brothers who "possessed great political influence" and became his friends and mentors. When the Democrats were in charge, Prosper was a Naval Officer and when the Whigs came into power, Prosper was