Penn Biographies

William Fishbourne Wharton (1846 - 1917)

• A.B. 1865, A.M. 1868, LL.B. 1868
• Member of Delta Phi fraternity

Member of the New York Stock Exchange

Vice-president of the Madison Square Garden Company

William Fishbourne Wharton was born in Philadelphia on October 23, 1846, the son of George Mifflin Wharton (Class of 1823) and Maria Markoe.

Wharton entered the University as a freshman in the Class of 1865 and was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity. He served as a private in the United States army for a brief period in 1863. Wharton completed a full course of study at the University, but was not listed in the 1865 commencement program because he was absent on account of illness. He was however, recommended by the faculty to receive an A.B. degree and was credited with one, although he did not receive a diploma until several years later. The University awarded him an A.M. in due course in 1868.

After his college years, Wharton studied law for a time, but then gave it up for business and work as a stockbroker in New York City. He eventually becoming a member of the New York Stock Exchange and vice-president of the Madison Square Garden Company. He was also known as founding member of the National Horse Show. On October 10, 1871, he was married to Fanny Turner Fisher. William Fishbourne Wharton died on January 22, 1917 in New York City.