Famous Misers and How They Lived

Thomas Cooke starved his wife to death to save money in the list 'Famous Misers and How They Lived'.Who: Thomas Cooke (1726-1811) was "Englishman Thomas Cooke (1726-1811) was known as ""... and that's it. Seriously, this guy made being a miser a career. His1814 biography1814 biographyp>

John Elwes ate rotten food and squatted in his own propertiesWho: John ElwesJohn Elwes (1714-1789) was a Member of Parliamentin Great Britain and is widely consideredan inspiration for Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens'sA Christmas Carol.

Perhaps his most impressive cheapskate move was living in vacant rental properties he owned when his tenants left. With his old housekeeper, Elwes lived in any empty property he could, moving two beds and two chairs each time, staying until the place was rented.

p>Who:Daniel Dancer (1716-1794) was an Englishman whoseonly job was hoarding his wealth."

p>Who: Daniel K. LudwigDaniel K. Ludwig (1897-1992) was a reclusive American billionaire shipping magnate.

p>Who:J. Paul Getty (1892-1976) was an American billionaire oilman and famous collector of art and antiquities.

A far more hilarious miserly move was thepayphone he installedin his London mansion so guests would not charge his phone bill.

p>Who: Hetty GreenHetty Green (1834-1916) was an American businesswoman known as "The Witch of Wall Street" who was likely the richest woman in the world when she died.

But there are many true stories of her extreme frugality. Despite being very rich, she tried to use free clinicsunder a fake name. She also lived in cheap apartments and rooming houses to save money and was known for haggling with waiters.p>

Multi-Millionaire Wellington R. Burt denied two generations their inheritanceWho: Wellington R. Burt (1831-1919) was an American lumber baron that was one of the wealthiest men in the country in the early 1900s.in the early 1900s.

Why Burt kept his fortune is unknown. Family feuds are said to be the most likely cause.

p>Who:John Camden Neild (1780-1852) was an Englishman, a landlord, and a notorious miser famous forleaving all his property to Queen Victoria (who accepted it).

p>Who:James "Jemmy" Wood (1756-1836) was an Englishman, a wealthy banker, and a famous miser known as "The Gloucester Miser."

Like other misers, he wore ragged clothes and avoided paying for travel. One story claims he once took a long ride with a hearse, riding where the body normally goes! People tricked old Jemmy bythe stories go, by heating up coins and spreading them on the floor, knowing he would always pick them up.

p>Who: Haroldson Lafayette Hunt (1889-1974) was a billionaire Texas oil tycoon.

Hunt inspired the character J.R. Ewing on the television showDallas.

p>Who?: Ingvar Kamprad (b. 1926) is the Swedish billionaire founder of IKEA.