George Hammond McLean (November 24, 1849–February 18, 1913) was one of the six founders of The Lambs at the December 1874 dinner at Delmonico’s. McLean was a theatre buff, and he was the one who invited the group of actors from Wallack’s Theatre to supper, thus launching The Lambs. He was elected the first corresponding secretary in 1875.
McLean was born on Great Jones Street in Manhattan, and born into money. His parents were part of New York’s Gilded Age high society: James Monroe McLean and Louisa Theresa Williams. His father was a wealthy insurance executive and banker, president and director of the Manhattan Life Insurance Company. The family had New York business ties going back to pre-colonial days.
George H. McLean attended Columbia for two years but dropped out due to poor health. He served in the Civil War. He married Harriet Amelia “Minnie” Dater, a daughter of Henry Dater, and had two sons. McLean entered the real estate business and was a partner in McLean & McLean. He was president, director, and treasurer of Hodgman’s European Automobile Tours, a director of the Manhattan Life Insurance Company, and a member of numerous clubs and businesses.
He died in 1913 and is interred in the family mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx.