Robert Allerton
Encyclopedia
Robert Henry Allerton born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, was the son and heir of First National Bank of Chicago founder Samuel Allerton. A philanthropist for most of his life, he left Allerton Gardens, Kauai, the Honolulu Academy of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Robert Allerton Park as legacies for the public to enjoy.
Robert Allerton enjoyed traveling to countries around the world. In these countries he would buy statues of all kinds, which were then placed in his estate. His estate is now called Allerton Park. Most of the statues are no longer in Allerton Park, but there are still a few left for tourists to look at.
, banking, and other commercial enterprises. Pamilla Allerton died in 1880, five days before Robert's 7th birthday. Two years later, Samuel Allerton married Agnes Thompson, Pamilla's younger sister. Agnes Thompson Allerton (1858–1924) became mother, friend, and cultural mentor for her stepson/nephew. She kindled his interests in literature
, music
, gardening
, and above all, visual arts.
The Allertons lived on Prairie Avenue in Chicago
, which was the most fashionable residential street in that city in the 1800s. The Allertons were neighbors of Marshall Fields, the Pullman
s, the Kimballs, and the Amours. Robert attended Allen Academy and Harvard School in Chicago, after which he and friend Frederic Clay Bartlett, were sent east to St. Paul's School
, a prestigious college prep school in Concord, New Hampshire
. The young Chicagoans decided not to go on to college, but rather to study art in Europe
.
In 1922 he met John Gregg (1899–1986), an orphan and aspiring architect, who after the stock market crash of 1929, came to live with Allerton. He was to become his lifelong companion. After a change in Illinois law in 1959, he legally adopted Gregg as his son.
was begun in 1897 when Allerton decided to become a farmer. By 1914 his "farm" had grown to over 12,000 acres and became known as "The Farms". It is located at the University of Illinois near Monticello, Illinois
. The botanical journal Allertonia and the two estate parks are named after Robert Allerton. Also the main building of the Art Institute of Chicago
, where he served as the honorary president and trustee, was renamed the Allerton Building in his honor in 1968.
in Hawai'i
is now called the Allerton Garden
. After John Gregg Allerton's death it became part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden
, with public tours.
Robert Allerton enjoyed traveling to countries around the world. In these countries he would buy statues of all kinds, which were then placed in his estate. His estate is now called Allerton Park. Most of the statues are no longer in Allerton Park, but there are still a few left for tourists to look at.
Early life
Robert Henry Allerton was born on March 20, 1873, as the second child and only son to Samuel Waters Allerton (1828–1914) and Pamilla Thompson Allerton (1840–1880). Samuel Allerton was a self-made man who made his millions in land, livestockLivestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
, banking, and other commercial enterprises. Pamilla Allerton died in 1880, five days before Robert's 7th birthday. Two years later, Samuel Allerton married Agnes Thompson, Pamilla's younger sister. Agnes Thompson Allerton (1858–1924) became mother, friend, and cultural mentor for her stepson/nephew. She kindled his interests in literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, gardening
Gardening
Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants. Ornamental plants are normally grown for their flowers, foliage, or overall appearance; useful plants are grown for consumption , for their dyes, or for medicinal or cosmetic use...
, and above all, visual arts.
The Allertons lived on Prairie Avenue in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, which was the most fashionable residential street in that city in the 1800s. The Allertons were neighbors of Marshall Fields, the Pullman
Pullman Company
The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s...
s, the Kimballs, and the Amours. Robert attended Allen Academy and Harvard School in Chicago, after which he and friend Frederic Clay Bartlett, were sent east to St. Paul's School
St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire)
St. Paul's School is a highly selective college-preparatory, coeducational boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire affiliated with the Episcopal Church. The school is one of only six remaining 100% residential boarding schools in the U.S. The New Hampshire campus currently serves 533 students,...
, a prestigious college prep school in Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
. The young Chicagoans decided not to go on to college, but rather to study art in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
In 1922 he met John Gregg (1899–1986), an orphan and aspiring architect, who after the stock market crash of 1929, came to live with Allerton. He was to become his lifelong companion. After a change in Illinois law in 1959, he legally adopted Gregg as his son.
"The Farms"
Robert Allerton ParkRobert Allerton Park
The Robert Allerton Park is a 1,517 acre park, nature center, and conference center located near Monticello, Illinois on the upper Sangamon River...
was begun in 1897 when Allerton decided to become a farmer. By 1914 his "farm" had grown to over 12,000 acres and became known as "The Farms". It is located at the University of Illinois near Monticello, Illinois
Monticello, Illinois
Monticello is a city in Piatt County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,138 at the 2000 census, and 5,374 at a 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Piatt County.-Geography:Monticello is located at ....
. The botanical journal Allertonia and the two estate parks are named after Robert Allerton. Also the main building of the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
, where he served as the honorary president and trustee, was renamed the Allerton Building in his honor in 1968.
Hawai'i
The former Hawai'ian Royal tropical estate, located on the island of Kaua'iKauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
in Hawai'i
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
is now called the Allerton Garden
Allerton Garden
Allerton Garden , also known as Lāwai-kai, is a botanical garden, originally created by Robert Allerton and John Gregg Allerton, located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii. The garden covers an area and is situated beside the Lāwai Bay, in a valley transected by the Lāwai Stream...
. After John Gregg Allerton's death it became part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden
National Tropical Botanical Garden
The National Tropical Botanical Garden is a group that sponors preservation of plants native to the tropics in a network of botanical gardens and preserves.-History:...
, with public tours.
See also
- Robert Allerton ParkRobert Allerton ParkThe Robert Allerton Park is a 1,517 acre park, nature center, and conference center located near Monticello, Illinois on the upper Sangamon River...
("The Farms," Illinois) - Allerton GardenAllerton GardenAllerton Garden , also known as Lāwai-kai, is a botanical garden, originally created by Robert Allerton and John Gregg Allerton, located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii. The garden covers an area and is situated beside the Lāwai Bay, in a valley transected by the Lāwai Stream...
(Kaua'i, Hawai'i)