The Huntington was founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptional businessman who built a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California. Along with his wife, Arabella Duval Huntington, he amassed extensive library, art, and botanical collections that continue to evolve. Today The Huntington is one of the largest and most complete independent research libraries in the United States in its fields of specialization.