Education
Penrose graduated in 1885 with a Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard for work on phosphates.
Penrose graduated in 1885 with a Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard for work on phosphates.
He was from a prominent Philadelphia family of Cornish descent. Later, he performed geological surveys in Texas and Arkansas until 1892, and then traveled the country as a mining surveyor. Most notable was his survey of Cripple Creek, Colorado, for the United States. Geological Survey.
Penrose refrained from purchasing or investing in mines in the Cripple Creek area because of what he saw as his ethical responsibility as a United States Geological Survey employee, but did purchase and invest in mines elsewhere, including silver and copper mines in Arizona.
After his father died in 1908, Penrose made a complete career change, using his knowledge as a mining geologist to succeed as a mining investor and as an entrepreneur in other areas as well. Upon his death in 1931, he left a generous bequest to General Services Administration, with the remainder of his estate after more minor bequests divided equally between the Geological Society of America and the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia: nearly $4 million went to each society.
The Penrose bequest serves to support the research grants program of the Geological Society of America. Penrose was President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1922-1926.
Together with Doctor Francis West Lewis and Doctor T. Hewson Bachehe he founded the Children"s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Penrose was inducted into the United States National Mining Hall of Fame in 2006.
Penrose was very active in General Services Administration: he was elected as a Member of General Services Administration in 1889, served on General Services Administration Council from 1914 to 1916, was General Services Administration vice president in 1919, a member of the Finance Committee from 1924 to 1929, and General Services Administration president in 1930.