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Wilson Marcy Powell Sr. came of a Quaker family devoted to the service of humanity and he lived up to his heritage. His great-grandfather, Isaac T. Hopper, helped more than a thousand slaves escape to freedom, and left his mark for good on practically every benevolent activity in New York. His father was a lawyer of high standing and active good works, and Wilson followed in his steps, often taking up a service as it was relinquished by the older man. Hospitals and libraries in New York City, the Bar in New York State, and education throughout the country all felt the power of Wilson Powell's energy, tact and idealism.

He was born in New York City on May 7, 1872, and died in his New York home at 130 East 70th Street, on August 17, 1935. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, he married Elsie Knapp in 1902. A son and two daughters came to their home, and the family was a happy and devoted group, although the increasing calls for public service forced Wilson Powell to budget his time more and more carefully, in order to achieve all that he wished to do, and all that he was required to do. He was recognized as a leader in his profession. For seven years he was Treasurer of the Bar Association of the City of New York, and its Vice-President for two years. After his death, the Association's resolution declared "Our loss in the circle of the wisest counsellors of the Association is well-nigh immeasurable."

But this was only a small part of his public service. He served on many committees for his Alma Mater, Harvard University, in particular being chairman of a committee to raise an endowment for the law school. "He served long, intelligently and successfully."

In 1906 the Quaker College, Swarthmore, asked him to serve on its Board of Managers. The college was then small and insignificant, though actuated by high ideals. Wilson Powell accepted, and served faithfully until his death. From 1914 to 1920 he was Vice-president of the Board, and President until 1933 when ill health forced him to resign. Swarthmore today holds a leading rank among the small colleges of the country, and this is largely due to Wilson Powell's leadership, "his intellectual curiosity, his belief in scholarship and his wide acquaintance among educational leaders."

The care of the sick in New York owes much to Wilson M. Powell. He was counsel for New York Hospital for 20 years, Governor and Vice-president of the Hospital for three years and President for one year. He took active part in bringing together the New York Hospital and several others into a great medical center which provides a unified program for the care of the sick, teaching and research. "His kindly understanding, tact, wisdom and devoted effort overcame differences of opinion and engendered a spirit of unselfish service throughout the institution."

For the last seven years of his life he was a trustee of the New York Public Library, most of this time chairman of the Committee on Circulation. He served the Library as though he had no other interests. After his death it was stated that he was the only Trustee whom all the employees at the Main Library (the Fifth Avenue) knew by sight. Many of them knew him personally as well, and all felt that he had their professional and personal interest genuinely at heart.

It would be almost impossible to mention all his interests. For many years he was legal adviser to the Women's Prison Association of the City of New York, like his father before him, and following the interest of his family back to his great-grandfather, Isaac' T. Hopper, who was one of its founders.

And with all this, he was a leading spirit among the Friends of New York City and State. For more than 25 years he served his Meeting as its Treasurer, and enjoyed the absolute confidence of all, not only as to his honesty but as to his judgment and discretion. He was a man who, while carrying the heaviest responsibilities, always seemed to have time for the affairs of individuals. Friends with a few hundred dollars to invest asked him to take charge of the business; widows placed their affairs unreservedly in his hands. And never was the confidence shaken of any of those who thus fully trusted him, whether as individuals or as groups.

During his lifetime his home was a center of rich hospitality. Since its opening as "Powell House" by the American Friends Service Committee many messages have come from old friends, who used to be guests there, expressing their pleasure that Mrs. Elsie Knapp Powell, once the heart and soul of this hospitality, has made this new use possible, while she herself spends her time looking after the Friends Workroom in New York. They rejoice that the spiritual atmosphere of his home is being kept alive by the new meaning which it is given in the name of Wilson M. Powell.