John T. Gibson

John Trusty Gibson (February 4, 1878 – June 17, 1937 was born on February 4, 1878, and grew up in Baltimore. He was nicknamed "Little Giant", and graduated from Morgan College Preparatory School. He later received an honorary LLD degree from the school in June 1928.

Theatre and real estate Gibson acquired the Standard Theatre from Joseph W. Cummings on South Street in July 1914. The theatre thrived, with Gibson booking the likes of Bylow and Ashes, singers Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters, Erma C. Miller's "Brown Skinned Models" (known as the "Black Rockettes"), and jazz bands led by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Gibson bought a big estate in Whitemarsh, neighboring the John Wanamaker Estate, a home in West Philadelphia and a red Pierce Arrow car with his own personal chauffeur. He invested heavily in real estate.

Despite his wealth and the success, Gibson was ruined by The Great Depression at the end of the 1920s, and was forced to sell both the Standard and Dunbar theatres, which later became cinemas. The Depression left him close to poverty in his final years. He died on 17 June 1937.