He was born on May 10, 1860 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of John Sergeant and Sallie (Baker) Price. A member of one of Philadelphia's oldest Quaker families, he was eighth in lineal descent from Philip Price, a Welshman who settled in what is now Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, in 1697.
After obtaining his earlier education in private schools, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1881. Two years later he received a degree from its law school.
After studies he took up legal practice in his father's office. His legal knowledge served as a valuable adjunct to his participation in civic affairs, to which he gave an increasing amount of time and energy as the years passed.
He became a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and was for fifteen years president of its law school alumni; he was secretary of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, treasurer of the Woodlands Cemetery Company, treasurer for fifteen years of the American Philosophical Society, treasurer for many years and then president of the Preston Retreat, president of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society and member of the board of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. It was, however, as vice-president of the Fairmount Park Commission, president of the Pennsylvania Museum and the School of Industrial Art.
His death was occasioned by a heart attack.
Eli Kirk Price was the president of the City Parks Association and made his greatest and most permanent contribution by the development of Fairmount Park and the Parkway, that was a heritage from his grandfather. More than 100, 000 pine trees are said to have been planted at his suggestion. The great Museum of Art at the head of the Parkway is in a sense his monument. In 1925 he received the medal of the French Société des Architectes. In 1928 he was given the Philadelphia Award and made a commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy. Later he received the red ribbon and cross of a chevalier of the Legion of Honor. The Price Fountain in Eakins Oval is dedicated to his memory.
Quotations: Shortly before his death he said to a friend: "Every inch in Fairmount Park has been made a reason for unreasoning opposition at one time or another. Every stone in that Museum was placed there against someone's opposition. It would be absurd for me to delay the work that still has to be done to placate the very people who will presently boast of the whole thing. "
The American Institute of Architects made him an honorary member in 1925.
He was accurate and painstaking, knew what he wanted and was unwavering in attaining his goal.
In 1896 he married Evelyn, daughter of Col. J. H. Taylor, of Washington, and a great-niece of President Zachary Taylor. She and their four children, Philip, Eli, Rachel, and Evelyn, survived him.
