Page 144 - Bonhams Passkon and Philanthropy MET Mjuseum March 2024 Asia Week

Fig 1. Mary Clark Thompson, Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State
Historic Park.

Mary Clark Thompson (1835-1923)

Mary Clark Thompson (1835-1923), born Mary Lee Clark, was the (Columbia University), the Bronx Zoo, the New York Public Library,
daughter of Myron H. Clark (1806-1892) who served in the New York the Women’s Hospital, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the last
State Senate and later as Governor of New York and his wife Zilpha of which Thompson helped found. At the time of his death in 1899,
Watkins. Mary mostly grew up in Ontario, Canada, where the family Thompson had contributed more than $250,000 to Williams, making
moved when she was a small child. A noted philanthropist, suffragist him the most generous benefactor in the history of the college. All
and art collector she married Frederick Ferris Thompson (1836- classes and events at Williams were suspended the day the news
1899) in June 1857, who with his father and brother, co-founded of his death was delivered. Mrs. Thompson continued his legacy to
First National Bank of the City of New York (now known as Citibank). Williams College. In 1903, she had the Thompson Memorial Chapel
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson provided donations and endowments to built in his memory, a project her husband had planned shortly before
numerous educational and cultural institutions, and were particularly his death. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt attended the
generous to Williams College, Vassar College, Teacher’s College dedication of the Chapel and it remains in continuous use today.

142 | BONHAMS