James Wormley

Biography

James Wormley, born in 1819, rose to prominence in Washington, D.C., as the proprietor of the Wormley Hotel, a luxurious establishment known for its elegance and for welcoming guests of all backgrounds. His business acumen and insistence on excellence made the hotel a meeting place for politicians, diplomats, and the public, especially during the turbulent years of Reconstruction.

Wormley also used his position to uplift the African-American community, supporting education and civic causes while modeling dignified entrepreneurship, and his death in 1884 was mourned by a wide circle of admirers.