Ann Willing Bingham
Encyclopedia
Ann Willing Bingham (1 Aug 1764 – 11 May 1801) was an American socialite from Philadelphia, regarded as one of the most beautiful women of her day. She was the eldest daughter of Thomas Willing
, president of the First Bank of the United States
, the wife of the wealthy William Bingham
, mother-in-law of Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton
, and correspondent of Thomas Jefferson
among others.
Bingham was also the model for multiple portraits by painter Gilbert Stuart
. Legend has it that Bingham is therefore the model for Lady Liberty on the American "Draped bust
" coinage (multiple denominations) during the first decade of the 19th century, but this has not been proven.
Thomas Willing
Thomas Willing was an American merchant and financier and a Delegate to the Continental Congress from Pennsylvania....
, president of the First Bank of the United States
First Bank of the United States
The First Bank of the United States is a National Historic Landmark located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania within Independence National Historical Park.-Banking History:...
, the wife of the wealthy William Bingham
William Bingham
William Bingham was an American statesman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress from 1786 to 1788 and served in the United States Senate from 1795 to 1801...
, mother-in-law of Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton
Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton
Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton PC was a British politician and financier.-Background:Baring was the second son of Sir Francis Baring, 1st Baronet, and of Harriet, daughter of William Herring...
, and correspondent of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
among others.
Bingham was also the model for multiple portraits by painter Gilbert Stuart
Gilbert Stuart
Gilbert Charles Stuart was an American painter from Rhode Island.Gilbert Stuart is widely considered to be one of America's foremost portraitists...
. Legend has it that Bingham is therefore the model for Lady Liberty on the American "Draped bust
Draped bust
"Draped Bust" was the name given to a design of United States coins. It appeared on much of the regular-issue copper and silver United States coinage from 1795-1808. The denominations that featured the Draped Bust design included the half cent.-Basic design:...
" coinage (multiple denominations) during the first decade of the 19th century, but this has not been proven.