Augustus D. Juilliard facts for kids
Augustus D. Juilliard (born April 19, 1836 – died April 25, 1919) was a very successful American businessman. He loved music and gave a lot of his money to help music grow in the United States. Because of his generous gift, the famous Juilliard School in New York City was created. This school helps talented students learn music, dance, and theater.
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Who Was Augustus Juilliard?
Augustus Juilliard was born at sea in 1836. His parents were moving to the United States from the Burgundy region of France. His father, Jean Nicolas Juilliard, was a shoemaker, and his mother was Anna Burlette. They were both Huguenots, a group of French Protestants. Augustus grew up near Louisville, Ohio, and went to local schools there.
How Did Juilliard Become a Successful Businessman?
In 1866, Augustus Juilliard moved to New York City. He started working in the clothing business for a company that made fabrics. After seven years, that company went out of business. So, in 1874, Juilliard started his own company called the Augustus D. Juilliard Company. His company sold different types of fabrics like wool, silk, and cotton.
He became a very rich and successful merchant. He also made more money by investing in banks, railroads, and insurance companies. He lived in a large mansion in Tuxedo Park, New York. He also had an apartment in Manhattan.
What Was Juilliard's Role in the Arts?
Augustus Juilliard was a big supporter of the arts. He helped the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. For almost 30 years, from 1892 until he died, he was the President of the Metropolitan Opera.
Juilliard passed away in 1919 when he was 83 years old. He was buried in his family's mausoleum at the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City.
Juilliard's Family Life
Augustus Juilliard married Helen Marcellus Cossitt in 1877. They did not have any children. His wife passed away in 1916.
Juilliard's Lasting Gift to Music
Augustus Juilliard left money to many hospitals, museums, and other good causes. But most of his money, about $5 million, was set aside to help music grow in the United States. In 1920, the Juilliard Foundation was created to manage this gift.
How Was the Juilliard School Created?
In 1924, the Juilliard Foundation used its funds to start the Juilliard Graduate School. This school was meant to help talented students get an advanced music education.
In 1926, this new school joined with the New York Institute of Musical Art. The New York Institute was started in 1905 by Dr. Frank Damrosch. He wanted to create a music school that was as good as the famous music schools in Europe. Together, these schools became what we know today as the Juilliard School.
See also
- Frederic Augustus Juilliard
