Philbrick Family Genealogy & History

Inigo August Philbrick, born April 23, 1987, is a former American art dealer known for orchestrating the largest art fraud in U.S. history. Convicted in 2022 for wire fraud, Philbrick was sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to forfeit $86.7 million. Starting his career at London's White Cube gallery, he became head of secondary market sales and later established Modern Collections. Philbrick's fraudulent activities included selling more than 100% shares of artworks and providing inflated valuations. He was captured in Vanuatu in 2020 after fleeing the U.S. and served time at the Federal Correctional Complex, Allenwood.

Born in London, Inigo Philbrick is the son of Harry Philbrick, former director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, and Jane Polich Philbrick, a playwright and artist. His maternal grandfather, Richard Polich, was a key figure in the art foundry industry, operating Polich Tallix in New York. Philbrick's family background is steeped in art, influencing his early education and career path.

Nathaniel Philbrick, born on June 11, 1956, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a distinguished American author known for his compelling works in maritime history and American literature. A recipient of the National Book Award, Philbrick's acclaimed book "In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex" inspired the film adaptation directed by Ron Howard. His notable works include "Mayflower," a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and "Bunker Hill," which has been optioned by Warner Bros. for a feature film. Philbrick's expertise extends to his role as the founding director of Nantucket's Egan Maritime Institute and his contributions as a research fellow at the Nantucket Historical Association.

Nathaniel Philbrick was born to Marianne (Dennis) and Thomas Philbrick, an English professor, and he grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His educational journey led him to earn a BA in English from Brown University and an MA in American literature from Duke University. Married to Melissa Douthart Philbrick, the couple has two children, Jennie and Ethan, and they have resided in Nantucket, Massachusetts, since 1986.

Rodman Philbrick, born on January 22, 1951, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a renowned American novelist celebrated for his work in both children's and adult literature. Philbrick has authored acclaimed books such as "Freak the Mighty," "Max the Mighty," and "The Last Book in the Universe." His career spans a variety of genres, including mysteries and thrillers, with notable works like the T. D. Stash detective series and novels under the pen names William R. Dantz and Chris Jordan. His accolades include a Newbery Honor for "The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" and several state awards, making him a prominent figure in contemporary literature.

Herbert Arthur Philbrick (1915–1993) was a Boston-area advertising executive renowned for his clandestine role as an FBI informant infiltrating the Communist Party USA from 1940 to 1949. His espionage activities and subsequent testimony in the Smith Act prosecutions were pivotal in exposing the Party's intentions to overthrow the U.S. government. Philbrick's autobiography, "I Led Three Lives," inspired a popular 1950s TV series, heightening his public profile as a counterspy. His contributions to anti-communism, despite rejecting Senator McCarthy's hearings, marked him as a significant Cold War figure.

Philbrick was married to Eva, with whom he had six children: Dale, Brenda, Leslie, Connie, Sandra, and Herbert Jr. He later had a daughter, Dawn, with another partner.