William Keeney Bixby

William K. Bixby (January 2, 1857 – October 29, 1931) was a collector of art and rare books, and is known for his significant philanthropic contributions around the St. Louis area.

Life William Keeney Bixby was born on January 2, 1857, in Adrian, Michigan. After his high school graduation from Adrian High School, Bixby moved to Texas to work as a baggage handler and night watchman on the International & Great North Pacific Railroad. In 1881, Bixby married Lillian Tuttle, and the two had six children. As he worked through the ranks of the Texas railroad, his vigor caught the eye of H.M. Hoxie, the president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He served as president and as a member of the Board until his retirement in 1905, at age 48. He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1906. After his retirement from the railroad industry, he served as president for the Missouri Historical Society twice: from 1907 to 1913 and 1925 to 1930. The main restaurant in the Missouri History Museum, "Bixby's", was also named after him, which closed in December 2017. His name also appears alongside a myriad of donated works.

Bixby was passionate not only about art and rare books but was also passionate about sharing his love for these hobbies. He donated items such as The Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493, papers of Thomas Jefferson, and an illuminated Medieval Missal leaf to the Missouri Historical Society. He also donated parts of his collections to the St. Louis Art Museum, Washington University in St. Louis, the St. Louis Mercantile Library, and the St. Louis Artist's Guild, among others.