George M. Ferris
George M. Ferris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1893 Newtown, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | 1992 |
| Occupation(s) | Investment banker, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder, president, and chairman of the Washington Stock Exchange; founder of Ferris & Co. |
George M. Ferris (1893–1992) was a prominent American investment banker and philanthropist. He played a key role as a founder, president, and chairman of the Washington Stock Exchange.
Early life
Ferris was born in Newtown, Connecticut and completed his education at Trinity College in 1916, where he was also a baseball player. During World War I, he served as a captain in the United States Army Air Forces.
Career
His professional journey began at S. W. Strauss. In 1932, Ferris established Ferris & Co., an investment banking firm based in Washington, D.C., which later gained listing on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1988, this company merged with Ferris, Baker Watts, after which Ferris retired, holding the title of Chairman Emeritus.
Ferris also held leadership of the Washington Stock Exchange, an institution that eventually merged into the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
Philanthropy
Ferris chaired the board of trustees for the National Cathedral School and served as president of both the National Homeopathic Hospital and Hahnemann Hospital located in Washington D.C. His leadership extended to organizations such as the Bond Club of Washington and the Columbia Country Club. Furthermore, he contributed as a board member to institutions including Sibley Memorial Hospital, the Boys Club of Washington, and his alma mater, Trinity College. He also took on the role of fundraising chairman for the United Givers Fund. In recognition of his contributions, Trinity College named its Ferris Athletic Center after him. The institution also honors him through the George M. Ferris Professorship, currently held by a faculty member specializing in Corporation Finance and Investments.
Personal life
Ferris was married to Charlotte Hamilton for 67 years until her passing in 1986. They had two children: a daughter, Gene Ferris Benedict, and a son, George M. Ferris Jr., who took over leadership in the family enterprise. The family lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland. George M. Ferris passed away in 1992 due to arteriosclerosis.