William Poole Bancroft (July 12, 1835 – April 20, 1928) was an American industrialist who later became an important figure in the land conservation movement.
He also observed with growing concern the growth of the city of Wilmington, imagining a distant future in which it and Philadelphia would eventually meet and leave no more open and green lands for the people to enjoy.
He also said, "It has been a hobby, or a concern with me, for more than twenty-six years, to endeavor to get park land for the advantage of the people of Wilmington and its vicinity."
Recognizing that the creation of parklands should continue beyond his lifespan, Bancroft in 1901 formed the Woodlawn Trustees to, "for the benefit of the people of Wilmington and its vicinity", "acquire [land] without limitation as to amount, by gift, devise, purchase or otherwise."
In 1898, Bancroft heard about fellow Quaker George Cadbury's Bournville, an attempt to reject the company town model and instead create a more pleasant and affordable planned community.
Bancroft traveled to England to meet Cadbury and tour the community, and he returned to America determined to create something similar.
The rents were kept low so that the homes would be affordable by lower income working families for whom Bancroft wished to improve the overall quality of life.
In 1894, Bancroft established a library in Wilmington and set up and endowment that would fund it as long as it remained free and open to the public.
[8] Bancroft also directed considerable philanthropy to Quaker education institutions such as Swarthmore College and the George School.
President Barack Obama cited Bancroft's "prescient planning" as historically significant when he declared the creation of the First State National Monument.