Henry P. Kidder

Henry Purkitt Kidder was an American bank founder born in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Early life

Kidder was born on January 18, 1823, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His parents were Thomas Kidder, a Boston civil servant in charge of meat and fish inspection, and the former Clarissa Purkitt.
Kidder was educated at Boston English High School.

In 1838, he became a clerk in a grocery store, and at age 18, became a clerk in the office of Coolidge & Haskell. In 1847, Kidder joined J.E. Thayer & Brother, where he learned banking.
In April 1865, Kidder, Francis H. Peabody, and Oliver W. Peabody, all of whom had previously worked as clerks at J.E. Thayer & Brother, established Kidder, Peabody & Co., via reorganization of J.E. Thayer & Brother. In 1886, Kidder, Peabody became the agents of the London bank, Baring Brothers.

Kidder served on several charitable boards.
Kidder died on January 28, 1886, in New York City.