James T. Woodward

James Thomas Woodward (September 27, 1837 – April 10, 1910) the second child born to Henry Williams Woodward (1803–1841) and Mary Edge (née Webb) Woodward, who were both from colonial families. His older brother was William Woodward (father of William Woodward Sr.) and his paternal grandparents were Henry William Woodward and Eleanor Duckett (née Williams) Woodward.

His family, who were already well established textile merchants, gathered tremendous wealth during the American Civil War by selling textiles to both the Unionist government and Confederate government. As a boy, James spent the war years learning in a country school near his home. Afterwards, he went to Baltimore to complete his education.

Career After the War ended, Woodward moved to New York and took a job at the importing house of Ross, Campbell & Co. where his business acumen was recognized.

Woodward also served as chairman of the New York Clearing House (a consortium of the city's banks) during the Panic of 1907, having been chosen as president of the New York Clearing House Association on October 4, 1898, reportedly "he had not sought the post of honor, but had earned it by many years of conservative and successful banking." the Greenwich Bank, the Madison Square Garden Company, and the Mercantile Trust and Deposit Company of Baltimore. An avid hunter and horseman, Woodward purchased the historic Belair Mansion and Stud farm in 1898. In addition to Belair, he also maintained residences in New York and Rhode Island. The inheritance tax of $3,200 was the largest ever paid in Prince George's County at that time.

Legacy Woodward developed a very close relationship with Saint John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, and was elected to its board of visitors. He invested significantly in both repairing Belair and expanding St. John's during this time. In June 1909, St John's gave the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws to Woodward in recognition of his extensive contribution to the school. The Barr-Buchanan Center at St. John's College was originally named Woodward Hall in his honor.