Name Philip Hone | ||
 | ||
Profession Auctioneer
Merchant
Corporate President Died May 5, 1851, New York City, New York, United States Residence New York City, New York, United States Books The Diary of Philip Hone, 1828-1851 Volume 2 Political party Federalist Party, Whig Party | ||
Preceded by William Paulding, Jr. Succeeded by William Paulding, Jr. | ||
Philip Hone (October 25, 1780 – May 5, 1851) was Mayor of New York City from 1826 to 1827. He was most notable for a detailed diary he kept from 1828 until the time of his death in 1851. His recorded diary is said to be the most extensive and detailed of his time in 19th century America.
Biography
Philip Hone was born in New York City on October 25, 1780. Son of a German immigrant carpenter, Hone became wealthy in the auction business.
Originally a Federalist, he was elected Mayor in 1826 and served one term. He later became active in the Whig Party.
He became a man of great prominence in New York society for his wealth, sophistication, extensive travel and good taste, and was good friends with most of the political, artistic and scientific leaders of his day. Most notable among them were: Washington Irving, Samuel Morse, Daniel Webster, John Jacob Astor and U.S. Presidents John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren.
Hone's diary records not only his society engagements and the major events and spectacles in the city in the first half of the century, but also his view of a changing city: his disapproval of Andrew Jackson; the disconcerting effects of the city's constant construction; and his utter disgust with most Irish immigrants.
He was a successful merchant and a founder of the Mercantile Library Association and he was the first President of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company in 1825 and 1826. In 1827 he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Honorary Academician. Hone lived in an elegant town house at 235 Broadway, opposite City Hall Park. The site was later one of those purchased by F. W. Woolworth for construction of the Woolworth Building.
During the Zachary Taylor administration he served as Naval Officer of the Port of New York.
Hone died in New York City on May 5, 1851. He was buried at Saint Mark's Church in-the-Bowery.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania, is named in honor of Philip Hone, as is Hone Avenue in the Bronx.