Widener

Widener is a surname of English origin, and it may also refer to a location or institution. As a surname, Widener is traditionally associated with England, specifically the county of Yorkshire. People with the surname Widener can be found throughout the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, where they are primarily of English, Scottish, or Irish descent.

In the United States, the surname Widener is most commonly found in the Philadelphia region of Pennsylvania. One notable figure with the surname was Joseph Shippen Widener, a prominent American businessman and politician.

Widener is also the name of several institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania's Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, which has a significant collection of American art and antiques. The Department of Art Conservation at the Winterthur Museum is located at The Farnum Academic Building on the University of Pennsylvania's campus and is known as the Richard C. Hovannisian and Elaine P. Mardigian Term Endowed Chair in Preservation.

The Widener University of Cheyney, Pennsylvania is a public university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university was established in 1902 as the Sylvania School and is named after Joseph Shippen Widener. It is one of three campuses that made up the Widener University system.

The Widener Library is a renowned research library complex at Harvard University, known for its extensive holdings of rare books, journals, and other materials. The library is part of the Harvard University Library system.