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George Sidney Hellman

1878 – 1958

American author, editor, and art collector

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About George Sidney Hellman

Lived 1878 – 1958 (aged 79–80). George Sidney Hellman was an American art dealer, editor and art collector.

George Sidney Hellman (November 14, 1878 – July 16, 1958) was an American author, editor, and art collector.

Biography George S. Hellman was born in New York City on November 14, 1878, the grandson of Joseph Seligman. Hellman assisted J. P. Morgan with the development of his book collection that later became the Morgan Library. In 1909, he helped Morgan acquire the book collection of Stephen H. Wakeman for $165,000, which included an important selection of works by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Hellman wrote one of the first biographies of Washington Irving in 1925. Scholars were divided on the work's historical merit as the book focused more on Irving's life rather than his literary career. Hellman's approach was criticized as "informal and anecdotal", but the book was also described as "the best biography of Irving that has been written". Hellman became a trustee of the Arts Council of the City of New York in 1927. In 1938 he began work on the first biography of Benjamin Cardozo, though Irving Lehman, Hellman's friend and Cardozo's executor, denied him access to Cardozo's personal papers.

Hellman was also a known as a collector of drawings. Part of his collection, including works by Caravaggio, Carracci, and Fragonard, was shown in 1920 at Anderson Galleries. Hellman's 1927 book Lanes of Memory describes his experiences as an art collector and the development of his collection.

Hellman died in 1958 in Monsey, New York.

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Important facts

Born
1878, New York City
Birth century
Died
1958, Monsey
Nationality
Education
Columbia University
Also known as
George S. Hellman, George Hellman

People in George Sidney Hellman's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped George Sidney Hellman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was George Sidney Hellman?

American author, editor, and art collector (1878–1958)

When was George Sidney Hellman born?

George Sidney Hellman was born in 1878 in New York City.

When did George Sidney Hellman die?

George Sidney Hellman died in 1958 in Monsey.

What was George Sidney Hellman's occupation?

George Sidney Hellman was an art dealer, editor and art collector.

What nationality was George Sidney Hellman?

George Sidney Hellman was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: George Sidney Hellman

· Wikidata: Q59628926

· DBpedia: George S. Hellman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Sidney Hellman. https://biography.guide/george-sidney-hellman/

MLA: "George Sidney Hellman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-sidney-hellman/.

Chicago: "George Sidney Hellman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-sidney-hellman/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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