George Alfred Trenholm (February 25, 1807 – December 9, 1876) was a South Carolina businessman, financier, politician, and slaveholding planter who owned several plantations and strongly supported the Confederate States of America.
He was appointed as its Secretary of the Treasury during the final year of the American Civil War.His merchant firm was estimated to have made $9 million by blockade running with its 60 ships during the war.
Although he was imprisoned briefly after the war and suffered some economic setbacks, Trenholm continued to prosper.
In the postwar years, Trenholm acted as a major philanthropist, aiding both blacks and whites in South Carolina.
He also served on railroad and bank boards, and was elected to state office again in 1874 and died in office.