born March 24, 1855, Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.
died Aug. 26, 1937, Southampton, N.Y.
U.S. financier.
He joined his father's banking house in 1874 and through the next three decades built up a financial empire by supplying capital for corporations in industries such as aluminum, steel, and oil. He helped found the Aluminum Co. of America ( Alcoa ) and the Gulf Oil Corp. , and he joined Great Depression , and in 1932 he resigned to serve as ambassador to England. A noted art collector and philanthropist, Mellon donated an extensive art collection and $15 million to establish the National Gallery of Art .