Walter de Curzon Poultney

Walter de Curzon Poultney (November 4, 1845 – September 4, 1929) He was also the nephew of Philip E. Thomas, the first president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. His nephew, James W. Poultney, later became a professor emeritus of classics at the Johns Hopkins University.

"Sir Walter", as he was known to his intimates (as a result of his stark resemblance of Sir Walter Raleigh), was well known around the world. He was considered an intimate friend of Cardinal James Gibbons of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. They would often be found strolling Charles Street near the Baltimore Basilica, the oldest Catholic cathedral in America. Poultney was also a close friend of Louisa Cavendish-Bentinck, otherwise known as Lady Strathmore, the great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. Walter even sent Lady Strathmore's granddaughter (the future Queen Mother) a silver bowl as a wedding gift and received in return a "gracious and girlish letter" on the night before her marriage to the Duke of York. Following his death, Poultney’s large and unusual collection of art and rare antiquities went up for auction November 19, 1929. Poultney's eccentricity was not only confined to his residence. He was known to change his clothing often – as many as three times daily. He was seen in 18th-century garb at costume parties and other social gatherings. Those who knew Poultney saw him as a Baltimore Beau Brummell.