Louis Bamberger
Louis Bamberger | |
|---|---|
 Louis Bamberger, date unknown | |
| Born | May 15, 1855 |
| Died | March 11, 1944 (aged 88) |
| Family | Felix Fuld (brother-in-law) Caroline Bamberger Fuld (sister) Moses Hutzler (grandfather) |
Louis Bamberger (May 15, 1855 – March 11, 1944) was an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Bamberger's department store in Newark, New Jersey.[1][2] He and his sister Caroline Bamberger Fuld co-founded the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]Louis Bamberger was born on May 15, 1855 in Baltimore, Maryland to Theresa (née Hutzler) and Elkan Bamberger. His father had immigrated to the United States in 1823 from a town near Nuremberg, and his mother belonged to the family that ran Hutzler Brothers in Baltimore. His grandfather was Moses Hutzler. He had six siblings: Caroline, Clara "Lavinia", Rosa, Julius, Pauline, and Julia.[1][2][3][4]
He was educated in Baltimore public schools.[5]
Business career
[edit]Bamberger began his career working under his uncles at Hutzler Brothers. He left the business to work for his father at a new store. Upon his father's retirement, he and his brothers inherited the business, and Louis was made business manager. Bamberger moved to New York City to pursue business opportunities as a resident buyer for several large companies in the West and built a large and important list of clientele.[6]
In 1892, he moved to Newark and, with his brothers-in-law Felix Fuld and Louis M. Frank, bought Hill & Craig, a bankrupt general goods store, renaming it L. Bamberger & Company and selecting a new site at the corner of Market Street and Halsey Street.[1][2][6][7] The store was an immediate success.
In 1912, Bamberger opened an ornate chateauesque building that covered a whole city block at a cost of $2 million (equivalent to $67 million in 2025). For decades, the Bamberger’s clock was the downtown meeting place for Newarkers. In 1928, the store's sales were $28 million (equivalent to $525 million in 2025), making it the fourth-highest grossing store in the United States.[2][8]
In 1929, Bamberger sold his department store to R.H. Macy and Company, which kept the original Bamberger name. Bamberger knew that he owed his success to hundreds of able employees, and split $1 million among 240 employees. The Bamberger name remained in use for the stores in the New Jersey division of Macy's until 1986.[2]
Charitable work
[edit]Bamberger supported both secular and Jewish charities. Bamberger personally funded the buildings for Newark’s YMHA, the Newark Museum, and the New Jersey Historical Society.[2] He worked to help persecuted Jews escape from Germany's Third Reich.[8] Bamberger was also a major contributor to the Community Chest and Beth Israel Hospital.[8]
Institute for Advanced Study
[edit]
Bamberger and his sister Caroline Bamberger Fuld worked with Abraham Flexner to found the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.[9] They gave a $5 million endowment to the Institute. Upon Bamberger's death the bulk of his estate was left to the Institute.[1]
Personal life and death
[edit]Bamberger was a shy man who never married and focused on running his store.[1][2] His partner Felix Fuld was the more outgoing of the two, and his sister Caroline Bamberger Fuld was most involved in the charity activities of the family.[1]
He died on March 11, 1944 at his home in South Orange. At his death, all flags in Newark were flown at half-staff for three days, City Hall was draped in black, and his large department store closed for a day.[2][10]
Legacy and honors
[edit]- The World War II Liberty Ship SS Louis Bamberger was named in his honor.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "An Enlightened Life of Selling and Giving". Knowing Newark:Charles F. Cummings. July 16, 1998. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Forgosh, Linda B. (2016-09-06). Louis Bamberger: Department Store Innovator and Philanthropist. Brandeis University Press. ISBN 9781611689822.
- ↑ Hutzler, Charles S. (January 1980). "Family Tree of the Hutzler Family - Richmond, Virginia". Hutzler Family.
- ↑ Scannell, John James (1917). Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens and State Guide. Vol. II. Paterson, N.J.: J. J. Scannell.
- ↑ Scannell, John James (1917). Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens and State Guide. Vol. II. Paterson, N.J.: J. J. Scannell.
- 1 2 Scannell, John James (1917). Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens and State Guide. Vol. II. Paterson, N.J.: J. J. Scannell.
- ↑ Burstyn, Joan N.; Jersey, Women's Project of New (1997). Past and Promise: Lives of New Jersey Women. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 9780815604181.
- 1 2 3 Bertholf, Kenneth Jr.; Dorflinger, Don (2011-04-18). Blairstown and Its Neighbors. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439624227.
- ↑ Roselló, Joan (2019-02-01). Hilbert, Göttingen and the Development of Modern Mathematics. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 9781527527621.
- ↑ "1,200 AT BAMBERGER RITES; Service for Founder of Dept. Store Held in Newark Temple". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Louis Bamberger at Wikimedia Commons
