Philip Evan Thomas (1776-1861) was the first president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from 1827-1836. He has been referred to as "The Father of American Railways." The Thomas Viaduct bridge was named after him. 1876 map The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) is one of the oldest railroads in the United States, with an original line from the port of Baltimore, Maryland, west to the Ohio River at Wheeling and Parkersburg, West Virginia. ... Thomas Viaduct, 1970 The Thomas Viaduct, originally nicknamed Latrobes Folly, spans the Patapsco River between Relay and Elkridge, Maryland. ...

Early life

Philip was born in Mount Radnor, Maryland on November 11, 1776 the third son of Evan and Rachel (Hopkins) Thomas. He moved to Baltimore and worked in the store of Thomas Poultney, his brother-in-law. In 1800 he went out on his own and became a successful hardware merchant. As a rising figure in his community he served as president of the Mechanics' Bank, the Mechanical Fire Company, the first president of Maryland Bible society, and gave the first $25,000 to the state for the Washington Monument. He was a prominent figure in the Society of Friends (the Quakers) where his father was a minister and did work on behalf of the Native Americans. The Swan tribe of the Senecas made him a "chief" and their representative in Washington. Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37°53N to 39°43N  - Longitude 75°4W to 79°33... The Washington Monument at dusk For other Washington Monuments, see Washington Monuments (world). ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ...

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

He was at involved with the early canal enterprises in New England, acting as director of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal system. Canal at Swains Lock Chesapeake and Ohio Canal map The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, abbreviated as the C&O Canal, and occasionally referred to as the Grand Old Ditch, operated from 1836 until 1924 parallel to the Potomac River in Maryland from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington, DC. The total...

A letter from his brother Evan in England describing the early trains there inspired him and George Brown to found a railroad to compete with the canals. He resigned his position and he and George Brown founded the railroad in 1827. He was elected president with Brown serving as the treasurer. There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ...

He died September 1, 1861 in Yonkers, New York. He had five children. He is credited with the creation of Franklin Square park, the first improved public park in Baltimore.

His mother Rachel, was the daughter of Gerard Hopkins who's family include Samuel Hopkins and his son Johns Hopkins the founder of Johns Hopkins University. This article is about the person. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ...

References

• Howard, George Washington (1873)."The Monumental City, Its Past History and Present Resources". J.D. Ehlers

External links

• Sandy Springs Museum, image of Philip Thomas