Anthony joseph drexel biddle bayonet

American philanthropist

Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle Sr. (October 1, – May 27, ) was a millionaire whose fortune allowed him to pursue theatricals, self-published writing, athletics, and Christianity on a full-time basis.^[1]

He trained men in hand-to-hand combat in both World Wars,^[2] was a fellow of the American Geographical Society and founded a movement called "Athletic Christianity" that eventually attracted , members around the world.^[3][4]Sports Illustrated called him "boxing's greatest amateur" in , as well as a "major factor in the re-establishment of boxing as a legal and, at that time, estimable sport."^[5]

A fictionalized Biddle appears in the Disney musical film The Happiest Millionaire.

Early life

He was born on October 1, , in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Edward Biddle II and Emily Drexel.^[6] He was a grandson of banker Anthony Joseph Drexel, and a great-gra Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle - Prabook COFEX