William Lukens Elkins
American businessman
Died when: 71 years 189 days (858 months)Star Sign: Taurus
William Lukens Elkins (May 2, 1832 – November 7, 1903) was an American businessman and art collector.He began his working career as a grocer in Philadelphia and became a business tycoon with financial interests in oil, natural gas and transportation.
He was one of the first to convert oil to gasoline and became a major shareholder in Standard Oil.He partnered with Peter Widener to found the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company and developed streetcar and railway systems throughout several major cities in the United States.
He founded the United Gas Improvement Company and was a member of the board of directors of 24 companies.He was a collector of art and filled his Elkins Estate with over 132 paintings.
His estate was valued at $25 million at the time of his death.
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