Born on an Anne Arundel County tobacco plantation in 1795, Johns Hopkins made a fortune as a merchant supplying settlers on the western frontier.
Hopkins then turned to banking, and was an early investor in the B&O Railroad — twice using his personal fortune to save the railroad from bankruptcy.
After Hopkins’ death on Christmas Eve 1873, his $8 million fortune was left to establish a university and hospital.
Hopkins’ will stipulated that the hospital was to “compare favorably with any institution of like character in this country or in Europe.”
A devout Quaker, Hopkins insisted that the hospital treat “the poor of this city and state, of all races.” His estate also established a home in Baltimore County for African-American children.
At the time, Hopkins’ bequest was the largest in in U. S. history.
Hopkins is buried in a family plot at Green Mount Cemetery, 1501 Greenmount Avenue.
GPS: N 39° 18.455′, W 076° 36.280′