Stewart, Alexander T(aylor) (1803–1876)

Irish-born US merchant who emigrated to the USA around 1820. He invested in Irish lace, opening his first shop in 1823. He expanded rapidly, and by 1850 his was the largest establishment of its kind in New York; by 1862 it was the largest store in the world. His interests encompassed textile mills in New England, and property in New York.

He was born in Lisburn, Ireland, and left after the death of his grandfather. He had raised him to be a priest, a job for which he had no inclination. He took with him a $5,000 inheritance. He eventually owned the Garden City development for the middle class on Long Island. .Although penurious about wages, his acts of charity included sending food to Ireland during the 1847 famine and bringing back a boat-load of immigrants for whom he found jobs. In 1878 his coffin was stolen and his remains were ransomed to his widow. They were returned in 1880 and reinterred in Garden City.