Isaac Wharton (280)

Election date: 1768 (Isaac Wharton (15 September 1754–31 March 1808) was a merchant and a member of the American Philosophical Society via his 1768 election to the American Society. Wharton was born in Philadelphia and followed his father into the mercantile business. With his brother Thomas, he opened a trading firm and soon had established himself in Philadelphia society. Wharton remained in Philadelphia during the American Revolution, including the British occupation of the city. Although he was formally attainted of treason for allegedly aiding his brother who had fled to Virginia with other Loyalists, Wharton convinced city officials of his loyalty and took the oath of allegiance to Pennsylvania in 1778. Following the end of the war and the death of his brother Thomas, Wharton partnered with another brother (and fellow APS member) Samuel Wharton, and the two continued their mercantile pursuits while also expanding into insurance brokerage. Wharton also became active in Philadelphia’s local institutions, serving as a manager and secretary to the Pennsylvania Hospital from 1781 to 1784 as well as director of the Library Company from 1782 to 1784. In 1792, he was appointed the director of the Bank of the United States and would serve on its board for fifteen years. In 1793 he purchased a country estate overlooking the Schuylkill River, a place he could retreat during the city’s many yellow fever outbreaks. His son, Thomas Isaac Wharton, was an APS member. (PI))

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