Samuel Powel (42)

Samuel Powel (28 October 1738–29 September 1793) was a gentleman, traveler, and public official, and a member of the Young Junto, elected in 1760. Born into a wealthy Quaker family in Philadelphia, he attended the Academy and College of Philadelphia before embarking on a grand tour of Europe (one of the first of its kind for an American). In England, he witnessed the coronation of George III and delivered a speech before the King about the College of Philadelphia with its provost, APS member William Smith. Powel also travelled to Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, and France, often accompanied by APS member John Morgan. Along the way, Powel polished his social graces, purchased books, art, and furniture for his Philadelphia home, and met figures like Voltaire and Pope Clement. Returning to Philadelphia in 1767, he held administrative offices at the College and served as common councilor, alderman, and mayor. Powel’s aristocratic identity made him a moderate patriot. Though he funded the reprinting of a pamphlet by APS member John Dickinson and hosted lavish dinners following the meetings of the Continental Congress, he held no offices in the revolutionary government. A convert to Anglicanism, he was a delegate to the 1784 Episcopal Church convention. He also served as treasurer of the Corporation for the Relief of Widows and Children of Clergymen, trustee of a school for black children, manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital, director of the Library Company, and founding president of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; the latter role brought him into close contact with George Washington. Powel donated to APS projects like the Michaux expedition and the building of Philosophical Hall. He later served a second term as mayor of Philadelphia and as presiding officer of the state senate. His nephew Samuel Powel Griffiths was an APS member. (PI)