WELSH, John (1805-86). An American
merchant, born in Philadelphia. He was
educated in that city and became prominent in business
there. For many years he had an active
interest in public affairs. During the Civil
War he promoted measures of relief and in 1864
became president of the Philadelphia Sanitary
Fair, which raised $1,080,000 for army hospitals
and ambulances. In 1873 Welsh was elected
president of the board of finance of the Centennial
Exposition and was chosen at each subsequent
election. To his executive ability the
success of the Exposition was largely due, and his
services were recognized by the city in a
subscription of $50,000. With this he endowed the
John Welsh chair of English literature at the
University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed
Minister to Great Britain in 1878, but resigned
in the following year.