title: David Austin Sayre
text: # David Austin Sayre
  
  David Austin Sayre (March 12, 1793 - September, 1870) was a prominent silversmith, banker and educator. Sayre is best remembered as founder of Sayre Female Institute.
  
  ## Early life and education
  
  David Austin Sayre was born in Madison, New Jersey on March 12, 1793. Sayre spent his childhood in Madison where he apprenticed to a silversmith. Sayre move to Lexington, Kentucky in 1811 to finish his training.
  
  ## Career
  
  ### Banking
  
  In 1820 Sayre started a banking firm D. A. Sayre and Company because of the large amount of surplus silver deposited in his silversmith safe.
  
  ### Educator
  
  Sayre founded Transylvania Female Seminary in 1854 in a building on Mill Street. The school was renamed Sayre Female Institute in 1855 and moved to Limestone Street.
  
  ## Later life and death
  
  Sayre is buried in Lexington Cemetery with his wife Abby Vanholt Sayre.
  
  