Who was Henry Clay Frick?
From birth to childhood, his family, his vision, his failures, his perseverance, successes and troubles and tragedies and art collection, the life of a tough businessman is written here. Additionally the life of his second daughter, his heiress, is here as well. A fine psychological perspective is given of both father and child and it is well done. Five stars. For sure my next visit to the mansion will feel different. I will see the art through “Clay” Frick’s eyes this next time and of course through mine much better than before. Now I know why it is there. Acquiring these pieces was no small achievement. Back to the book, one I am glad to own. Color and black and white images run throughout the pages. What an impressive reference it will continue to be! I need to mention there is a pattern in ones selection of books. A particular book will lead a reader to another in order to better understand an interest. For example, my reading in 2008 jumped from Queen Elizabeth I to Drake to Lord
Frick was an industrialist who gained prominence during the 1870s and 1880s. Born in 1849 about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Frick formed a partnership — Frick & Co. — with two cousins and a friend. The company used beehive ovens to turn coal into coke, an integral fuel in the then-booming steel industry in Pittsburgh. Frick bought out his partners by the late 1870s and became a millionaire by the time he was 30. He later partnered with steel magnate Andrew Carnegie and laid the foundation for the formation of U.S. Steel. Frick died in 1919 but donated 150 acres of what now is Frick Park to the city. He also established a $2 million trust fund to maintain the grounds. Source: frickart.org and www.pittsburghparks.
