Poor, Henry Varnum (1821-1905)

US economist. He collaborated on and authored several important compilations of railroad statistics and histories culminating in the so-called ‘Poor's Manual’, Manual of Railroads in the United States (1868), an annual publication which he wrote with his son Henry William (1844-1915). He wrote many other books on economics, including Resumption and the Silver Question (1878), and argued in favour of protectionist tariffs.

He was born in East Andover, Maine. A lawyer and member of the Whig Party, he campaigned for William Henry Harrison before leaving law, and Maine, to join his brother John Alfred in New York City and edit the first commercial periodical on railroads, American Railroad Journal (1849-62). In 1867 he opened the firm H V & H W Poor to import rails and railway supplies.

Poor, Henry Varnum (1888-1971)

US ceramist. His first ceramics exhibition (1922) earned a reputation that brought him such commissions as creating painted vases and lamps for Radio City Music Hall (1932).

He was born in Chapman, Kansas. Following study at Stanford University and in London and Paris art schools, he returned in 1912 to the USA to teach art. In 1920 he established a studio in Rockland County, New York.