August Brentano facts for kids
August Brentano (1828-1886) was a very important newspaper seller in New York City. He helped change how people bought newspapers and books in the United States.
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Where He Came From
August Brentano was born on December 23, 1828, in a town called Hohenems in Austria. When he was 22 years old, in 1851, he moved all the way to New York in the United States.
Starting His Business
August Brentano began his career by delivering newspapers. Before he even settled in New York, he opened a big newspaper stand at the Revere House in Boston, Massachusetts. Later, he ran a store at 636 Broadway in New York City. His business became very successful because he sold many newspapers. He also had many different places where people could buy them. Brentano was one of the first people in the United States to bring in newspapers from London and other cities in England.
Growing His Business
By 1868, Brentano and his family were working at 39 Union Square. Their business became well-known for being excellent. In 1877, August Brentano sold his share of the New York City business to his nephews. They then opened more newspaper businesses in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, Illinois. August Brentano helped manage these new locations.
The Famous Brentano's Bookstores
In 1853, the famous "Brentano's" independent bookstore began. It started as a small newsstand right in front of the New York Hotel. This business grew into a well-known bookstore chain. In 1883, the first Brentano's branch outside New York opened in Washington, D.C.. Just one year later, in 1884, a second branch opened in Chicago.
His Later Years
August Brentano passed away on November 2, 1886, when he was 57 years old. He died in Chicago, Illinois, where he had lived since 1883. August Brentano never got married. He was survived by his three nephews: August, Arthur, and Simon Brentano, who all lived in New York City. His funeral was a Jewish service held at the home of Mrs. Simon Brentano. August Brentano was buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in New York City.
