WASHBURN, GEORGE

Copyright 2011-2025 John N. Lupia, III

Photo circa September 20, 1903, at his retirement as president of Robert College, Constantinople, Turkey.

George Washburn (1833-1915), was born at Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts, on March 1, 1833, son of Philander Washburn (1798-1882), a manufacturer, and Elizabeth Homes Washburn (1809-1901).

Washburn was an American educator and missionary who spent 50 years in Constantinople, serving as president of Robert College, Constantinople, Turkey, and was instrumental in the independence of Bulgaria. The Washburn Correspondence is coveted by philatelists containing many significant covers in postal history especially to Turkey from the United States and other countries. Philatelic auction houses eagerly receive the Washburn correspondence since it has a growing audience of collectors.

He went to Constantinople in spring 1859 in an arranged marriage to Henrietta Ann Loraine Hamlin (1839-1928), daughter of Cyrus Hamlin (1811-1900), a missionary from Maine and the founder and president of Robert College (established 1863). The marriage took place on April 15, 1859 and Washburn worked as treasurer for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions raising funds that eventually provided financing to found Robert College and erect several Christian Churches in Ottoman Turkey.  

Robert College, Constantinople, Turkey

“Boston Paid All Direct Apr. 20” [1870]. recently sold in Schuyler Rumsey Auction August 27, 2022, Lot 3205 Scott #119 from Middleborough to Constantinople. Realized $3,186

August 9, 1872 passport application records that 38 year old Rev. George Washburn was 6' tall, with gray eyes and black hair.

Postmarked Chester, New Hampshire, April 23, 1885 to Helen E. Melonie, American Bible House, Constantinople, Turkey. The American Bible House is comprised of three buildings was a center of American activities, including Y.M.C.A. work, and George Washburn and some professors from Robert College participated in events and meetings held there as well as members of the American Bible House attending meetings at Robert College. write john@numismaticmall.com

October 30, 1885 postmarked Boston, Massachusetts to George Washburn at Robert College, Constantinople, Turkey. Horizontal pair #210 + #206, Blake & Davis #2099 postmark with barred oval killer #2141, back-stamp F.D. Foreign Division #960, also on back : New York duplex, receiving cancel Constantinople November 16, 1885. $500 write john@numismaticmall.com

1893 Photo of Rev. George Washburn wearing his medal of Commander of the Princely Order of Saint Alexander, during the World's Parliament of Religions, Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. He gave a talk on Islam.

Postmarked Innsbruck Stadt, Austria, August 22, 1896 to Miss Cornelia Strong Huntington, Milton, Massachusetts, USA. The letter was received at Milton, Massachusetts 12 days later on September 3, 1896. write john@numismaticmall.com

 Cornelia Strong Huntington was born in 1872. Graduated from Wellesley College in 1896, and married Theron J. Damon in 1911. Correspondence, writings, and collected material from the Henry S. Huntington family provide documentation of an educated clergy family's life in New England, particularly during the Victorian era. Henry Strong Huntington (1836-1920) was a Congregational minister in New Hampshire, Illinois, Maine, and Massachusetts. Three of his children were involved with mission work in Turkey and educational work at Robert College. Cornelia Huntington Damon and her husband Theron Damon made their home in Constantinople seven years after Rev. George Washburn returned to the United States. Cornelia Huntington Damon and her husband Theron Damon returned to the U.S. around 1921. 

April 23, 1897 to George Washburn, Constantinople from Boston, Massachusetts, watermarked laid paper, Langford-Boston #38 flag cancel, receiving cancel. $250 write john@numismaticmall.com

Cover from P.O. Box 2807, New York City, New York was an anonymous charitable agency to Rev. George Washburn at Constantinople, Turkey, duplex postmarked New York, December 23, 1897, receiving cancels, return address printed on back flap.

The Collegiate Church, New York, New York to Rev. George Washburn in Constantinople, Turkey, postmarked February 1, 1898, corner card, duplex cancel, receiving cancel. $250. write john@numismaticmall.com

1902 Class reunion photo with Rev. George Washburn.

1903  Class reunion photo with Rev. George Washburn.

Postmarked Warsaw, New York, August 24, 1903, sent to Rev. George Washburn, Constantinople, Turkey, just 27 days prior to his retirement as president of Robert College, Constantinople, Turkey. write john@numismaticmall.com

He died of pneumonia at his home 377 Marlboro Street, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts on February 15, 1915. He is buried at Nemasket Hill Cemetery, Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts.