John Wanamaker
(1838-1922)

Died aged c. 84

John Wanamaker (July 11, 1838 – December 12, 1922) was an American merchant and religious, civic and political figure, considered by some to be a proponent of advertising and a "pioneer in marketing". He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and served as U.S. Postmaster General during the term of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison from 1889 to 1893.

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Commemorated on 2 plaques

John Wanamaker (1838-1922). Philadelphia merchant, famed for the department stores bearing his name. In 1861 he opened his first store. He built his "new kind of store" here in 1876 and implemented new concepts including the one-price system & money-back guarantee. Active in public life, he built schools, churches, and missions in this and other nations. As U.S. Postmaster General, 1889-93, he fostered rural free delivery and introduced the commemorative stamp.

S 13th & Market Sts., Philadelphia, PA, United States where they worked

Mother's Day. Founded by Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia. First officially observed in 1908, it honored motherhood & family life at a time of rising feminist activism. An early supporter was John Wanamaker, whose store stood opposite. Mother's Day was given federal recognition, 1914.

Traffic island, Market & Juniper Sts. (E side of City Hall), Philadelphia, PA, United States where they worked