Walter Tuckerman

Walter Rupert Tuckerman (November 23, 1881 – January 15, 1961) was an American lawyer, banker, golfer, and philanthropist. Tuckerman founded the Bank of Bethesda in Bethesda, Maryland, and served as its first president. He also led development of the Edgemoor neighborhood of Bethesda. Tuckerman was a direct descendant of Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. He was also a cousin of horse rider Bayard Tuckerman, Jr., an inductee into the National Racing Hall of Fame. Early life and education Tuckerman was born to Walter Cary Tuckerman (1849–1894) and Florence Harding (née Fenno) Tuckerman (1848–1887) in Oyster Bay, New York, on Long Island on November 23, 1881. After becoming orphaned, he moved to Washington, D.C. to live with Lucius Tuckerman, a wealthy grandfather. In 1899, Tuckerman graduated from Morristown School (now Morristown-Beard School) in Morristown, New Jersey. He later served as a member of the school's Board of Trustees and as president of its alumni association. The award for scholarship in Greek at Morristown School (the Walter R. Tuckerman Greek Prize) bore his name. In 1903, Tuckerman received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He then completed his law degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1907. Tuckerman later served on the school's Board of Trustees. In 1952, George Washington University awarded him an honorary doctorate of laws.