Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
The financier, statesman, & scholar lived here. President, 1823-1836, Second Bank of the United States, the nation's central bank. He also spurred the rise of Greek Revival architecture and edited the journals of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Nicholas Biddle lived here as one of the most powerful men in Jacksonian America. As president of the Second Bank of the United States from 1823 to 1836, he steered the nation's central bank until Andrew Jackson's famous "Bank War" destroyed it. A scholar and tastemaker as well, Biddle championed Greek Revival architecture, whose columned facades still define courthouses and banks across the country, and he edited the first published account of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Why it matters
Biddle stood at the center of the defining economic struggle of the Jacksonian era, a fight over federal power and banking that echoes through American politics still.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.2 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall0.3 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.3 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hill-Physick House0.3 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Philosophical Hall0.3 mi away · PA
- Old City Hall0.3 mi away · Philadelphia
Attractions
- Liberty Bell0.3 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.3 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hall0.4 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.4 mi away
- First Bank of the United States0.4 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.5 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
Food & drink
- Talula's Gardennearby · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.1 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.2 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.2 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.2 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.2 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotel0.1 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.2 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.4 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Alexander Inn0.4 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.5 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.5 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Nicholas Biddle
- · Andrew Jackson
Related events
- · Bank War
- · Lewis and Clark Expedition
Themes & tags
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