William Appleton (1786-1862)

of Boston; Banker & U.S. Representative from Massachusetts

Having amassed a fortune of $2-million by 1851 he, "resolved never to be any richer; for the entire income of his immense fortune, beyond his family expenses, he appropriates to benevolent purposes. So thoroughly did he operate upon this system one year, that he actually ran himself backward in the line of money-making". He was a first cousin of the merchants Nathan and Samuel Appleton.
Contributed by Mark Meredith on 19/11/2020 and last updated on 09/08/2023.