William K. Bixby

William K. Bixby (January 2, 1857 – October 29, 1931) was a collector of art and rare books, and is known for his significant philanthropic contributions around the St. Louis area.

[4] One year prior to his retirement, he and his wife Lillian purchased a mansion in the Central West End, which is now the site of the Chase Park Plaza.

[3] Bixby's retirement at such a young age provided him with ample opportunities to pursue his passions in travel and literature.

[5] He also served on the board of Washington University in St. Louis, where he worked with Robert S. Brookings to rebuild the medical school and helped create the Bixby Chair of Surgery.

He donated items such as The Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493, papers of Thomas Jefferson, and an illuminated Medieval Missal leaf to the Missouri Historical Society.