WASHBURN, GEORGE

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. The Washburn Correspondence is coveted by philatelists containing many significant covers in postal history especially to Turkey from the United States and other countries.

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.

“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

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

He died at Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts on February 15, 1915. He is buried at Nemasket Hill Cemetery, Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts.