Last updated: September 27, 2023
Person
Julius Rosenwald
Library of Congress
Quick Facts
Significance:
Social Philanthropy
Place of Birth:
Springfield, IL
Date of Birth:
August 12, 1862
Place of Death:
Highland Park, IL
Date of Death:
January 6, 1932
Julius Rosenwald, one of the most important and socially impactful sons of Springfield, Illinois, is also one of the least known. The Jewish American man who grew up in the shadow of Abraham Lincoln became the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company, eventually amassing a fortune, most of which he dedicated to helping those who faced the injustices of a racially divided America.
Rosenwald and Springfield
Julius Rosenwald was born in Springfield, Illinois on August 12, 1862, while Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States. Julius’ parents, Samuel Rosenwald and Augusta Hammerslough, both German Jewish immigrants, met in Baltimore, Maryland, and married in 1857. They came to Springfield in 1861 at the urging of Augusta’s brothers so that Samuel could manage their Springfield clothing store. By 1867, despite being relatively new to the area, Samuel Rosenwald served as president of the family’s Jewish place of worship, congregation B’rith Sholom.
Early Life and Career
Julius Rosenwald earned money as a child in a variety of ways. One of his first business ventures came when he was twelve years old at the 1874 dedication of the Lincoln tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery. He attended Springfield High School, but dropped out at seventeen and moved to New York and then later, Chicago. It was in Chicago that Rosenwald met Augusta “Gussie” Nusbaum. They married in 1890.
In 1895, Rosenwald invested $37,500 in cash in Sears, Roebuck & Company —and his career took off. Rosenwald rose quickly in the Sears, Roebuck and Company organization, reaching the position of vice president in 1896 and president in 1908. As head of Sears, Rosenwald’s business creed was to “sell honest merchandise for less money.” Rosenwald served as president until 1924, when he became chairman of the board, a position he held until his death in 1932.
“Give While you Live”
Rosenwald has been called “America’s First Social Philanthropist.” Over his lifetime, he contributed more than $60 million, approximately $1 billion today, through personal and foundation giving.
Rosenwald’s business success earned him what he said was more money than he could ever spend, so he decided to start giving with civic stewardship in mind. His generosity received national attention when, on this fiftieth birthday in 1912, he gave away nearly $700,000, approximately $18 million today, to a variety of organizations.
Rosenwald founded the Rosenwald Fund, a professionally managed charity that used a “Give While you Live” approach, in 1917. By the time the Rosenwald Fund intentionally ceased operations in 1948, Rosenwald’s giving had left an incredible mark on countless charities, cultural institutions and social causes throughout the United States. YMCA facilities, housing projects in Chicago, research fellowships, and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry – all benefited from Rosenwald’s giving.
One of Rosenwald's most impactful giving efforts were "Rosenwald Schools" - schools for African American kids in the Jim Crow south. These schools were funded in partnerships between the Rosenwald Fund, state governments, and local fundraising efforts led by both black and white community leaders. About 5,000 Rosenwald schools were built throughout the American south in the early 20th century, benefiting over 600,000 African American students.
Legacy
Julius Rosenwald’s diverse humanitarian legacy is unfortunately largely unknown today. His practice of keeping his name off the projects he funded, as well as his choice to “sunset” the Rosenwald Fund, contribute to his obscurity. His business acumen helped create a retail revolution through his leadership of Sears, Roebuck & Company, and his generous investment in people, particularly African Americans, made a lasting impact on the country in the early 20th century and beyond. Today, the childhood home of Julius Rosenwald is preserved and located at Lincoln Home National Historic Site.