Downtown Memphis Hotels & Accommodations in Downtown Memphis Tennessee

What's In A Name...? How The Peabody Became Known As "The Peabody"

What's in a name? Why is this hotel called "The Peabody Memphis," and why are The Peabody Memphis ducks named "Peabody?" Is there a specific "Peabody" duck species? Was there a Mr., Ms. or Mrs. Peabody?

Once upon a time, long ago, back in 1865 to be precise, a very wealthy man named Robert Brinkley decided to build a beautiful new hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. He wanted it to be the finest hotel in the South, an oasis of elegance and good taste where local gentry, wheelers and dealers could congregate in comfort to wine and dine on the finest foods and rarest wines; where their ladies could meet for genteel afternoon tea in opulent, exquisite surroundings. The hotel was to be named The Brinkley House Hotel. But just before the official opening of the hotel in 1869, Mr. Brinkley's best friend, George Peabody, an international financier and philanthropist, died suddenly in London, England. Brinkley was devastated by the loss of his dear friend. Without hesitation, Brinkley decided to commemorate his friend by changing the name of The Brinkley House Hotel to The Peabody Hotel. Today, Peabody Hotels, comprising The Peabody Memphis, The Peabody Orlando and The Peabody Little Rock, all proudly bear the Peabody name, an extraordinary American whose generous, enlightened spirit mirrors those of our existing owners and management.