Elton Bryson Stephens Sr.
Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1911-08-04 Clio, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | 2005-02-05 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of EBSCO Industries |
| Notable work | Founder of Metropolitan Arts Council of Birmingham |
Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. (1911–2005) was a prominent American entrepreneur from Alabama and the creator of EBSCO Industries.
Early life
Born on August 4, 1911, in Clio, Alabama, Stephens completed his education at Birmingham-Southern College, graduating in 1932.
Career
Stephens launched Military Service Co. in 1944 with an initial investment of $5,000, focusing on selling magazine subscriptions to the United States Army. This enterprise gradually transformed into EBSCO Industries, a multifaceted corporation engaged in sectors such as information services, publishing and digital media, outdoor equipment, real estate, manufacturing, and general services.
Philanthropy
In 1986, Stephens founded the Metropolitan Arts Council of Birmingham and made a $15 million donation to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, where he also held the position of chairman. The Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center honors his late wife’s name. Additionally, he gave $1 million to the United Way of Central Alabama in 1997 and supported the Birmingham Museum of Art, which features the Stephens Family Gallery named after his family. In recognition of his contributions, the City of Birmingham renamed the Red Mountain Expressway as the Elton B. Stephens Expressway in 1975.
Alongside his son James, Stephens contributed $2.5 million to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and funded the $15 million Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham–Southern College.
Personal life
Stephens married Alys Robinson, whom he met while attending Birmingham-Southern College; both graduated in 1932. The couple had four children: two sons—Elton B. Stephens Jr. and James T. Stephens—and two daughters—Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Brooke. His wife died in 1996.
Death and legacy
Stephens passed away on February 5, 2005. His son James currently holds the role of chairman at EBSCO Industries.
References
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1911 births
- 2005 deaths
- People from Mountain Brook, Alabama
- People from Clio, Alabama
- American company founders
- Businesspeople from Birmingham, Alabama
- Philanthropists from Alabama
- Stephens family
- American billionaires
- 20th-century American philanthropists
- 20th-century American businesspeople