Jacob Blaustein

Jacob Blaustein
Jacob Blaustein
Born	30 September 1892 (age 134); Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	15 November 1970 (aged 78)
Occupation(s)	Businessman, philanthropist, diplomat
Years active	1910–1970
Known for	Co-founder of American Oil Company (AMOCO); advocate for human rights; U.S. delegate to the United Nations

Jacob Blaustein (born September 30, 1892 – died November 15, 1970) was a prominent American businessman, philanthropist, and diplomat. Alongside his father, Louis Blaustein, he co-established the American Oil Company. Blaustein was deeply dedicated to advancing human rights and supporting Jewish initiatives, while also championing multilateralism through active involvement with the United Nations, representing the United States under five different presidential administrations.

Early life

Jacob Blaustein was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to parents Louis and Henrietta Blaustein. During his youth, he assisted his father in delivering kerosene using horse-drawn tank wagons. His education included attendance at Baltimore’s Temple Oheb Shalom religious school and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, supplemented by mechanical drawing courses at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Although he briefly pursued studies in chemistry at Lehigh University, he soon left to join the family enterprise.

Oil industry

At 18 years old in 1910, Blaustein partnered with his father to establish the American Oil Company (AMOCO) in Baltimore; the company was officially incorporated in 1922. Ownership was divided with Blaustein holding a quarter share and his father owning three-quarters. Among the early staff was Joseph Harry Biden, who is the grandfather of President Joe Biden.

In 1924, Pan American Petroleum and Transport Company purchased a half interest in AMOCO for $5 million, ensuring a steady oil supply. The following year, Standard Oil of Indiana acquired Pan American, thereby connecting AMOCO to John D. Rockefeller’s enterprise.

AMOCO gasoline notably powered Charles Lindbergh’s groundbreaking transatlantic flight in 1927. Under Blaustein’s guidance, AMOCO introduced innovations such as the drive-in gas station concept, the first metered gasoline pump, and anti-knock gasoline that allowed for high-compression engine performance.

Blaustein remained president and chairman of AMOCO until his passing in 1970, after which his son Dr. Morton Blaustein took over leadership.

Other business interests

In 1931, Blaustein created the American Trading And Production Corporation (ATAPCO) to unify and expand the family’s investment portfolio. This included ownership in manufacturing companies, tanker vessels, oil wells, real estate assets, Crown Central Petroleum, as well as controlling stakes in Baltimore’s Union Trust Company. By the mid-20th century, Blaustein was recognized among America’s wealthiest individuals according to Fortune and Forbes rankings.

He also played a key role in revitalizing downtown Baltimore during the 1960s through development projects like the Blaustein Building.

World War II

Throughout World War II, Blaustein held leadership roles as president and chairman of both the Overseas News Agency and Jewish Telegraphic Agency, organizations that reported on antisemitism and crimes against minorities worldwide. He served as acting chairman of the marketing committee for the U.S. Petroleum Administration for War and contributed to various committees focused on supply management, distribution logistics, and shared facility usage. Additionally, Blaustein was an influential member of the National Petroleum Council, providing counsel to the federal government on critical petroleum and gas matters with international implications during wartime.

In 1946, responding to an invitation from Commanding General Joseph T. McNarney, Blaustein undertook a post-war assignment in Germany to assess conditions within Displaced Persons Camps.

Holocaust reparations

Following World War II, Blaustein actively championed reparations for Holocaust survivors and played a pivotal role in negotiating a $10 billion compensation agreement with West Germany and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. He headed the American Jewish Committee delegation at the 1946 Paris Peace Conference, advocating for enhanced human rights provisions and assured reparations.

Serving as Senior Vice President of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany, which was founded in New York City, Blaustein oversaw individual restitution claims from 1951 through 1966. These negotiations resulted in securing $845 million in both direct and indirect compensation. In 1956, he provided testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations regarding the organization's achievements.

In 1960, Blaustein successfully negotiated compensation payments with Krupp armaments manufacturers for each forced laborer employed during the war.

United Nations

From its inception until his passing, Blaustein was a prominent figure within the United Nations. In March 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him as a consultant delegate representing the U.S. at the founding San Francisco Conference of the UN. Notably, Blaustein convinced Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov to endorse the human rights articles incorporated into the UN Charter.

A staunch supporter of civil and religious liberties, Blaustein advocated for tolerance and actively engaged in peacekeeping initiatives on behalf of the U.S. government. His diplomatic outreach extended across Germany, Israel, North Africa, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Poland, and South America.

In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed him to the U.S. delegation at the UN. Blaustein cultivated a close partnership with Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, accompanying him on diplomatic assignments and acting as an intermediary during Egypt’s blockade of Israeli navigation through the Suez Canal. Following Hammarskjöld’s death in 1961, Blaustein commissioned the Single Form sculpture for UN Headquarters in his memory. He was also among the early board members of the United Nations Association of the United States of America and collaborated closely with Eleanor Roosevelt, who publicly acknowledged his contributions in 1958.

Blaustein was an early advocate for establishing the position of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, promoting this initiative as early as 1963. The UN formally created this office in 1993, more than twenty years after his death.

Israel-U.S. relations

Blaustein played a crucial role in Israel’s founding by endorsing the 1947 United Nations partition plan and pushing for U.S. recognition of the nascent state. He served as president of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) from 1949 until 1954.

During his tenure, the AJC worked to combat discrimination by promoting equal rights across American society. Blaustein commissioned social science studies on prejudice and forged partnerships with organizations such as the United Negro College Fund and NAACP. This research contributed to influencing the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in public schools.

Together with Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, Blaustein negotiated a significant agreement defining Israel-American Jewish relations: American Jews would provide political and financial support to Israel without interfering in its internal matters, while Israel would acknowledge their primary loyalty to the U.S. and refrain from involvement in diaspora affairs. This accord shaped long-term ties between Israel and Jewish communities abroad and received commendation from diplomat Abba Eban.

Blaustein also was instrumental in facilitating Israel’s admission to the United Nations, securing loans from the U.S. Export-Import Bank along with economic assistance for Israel. After concluding his presidency at AJC, he held the title of honorary president until his death in 1970.

Federal service

Blaustein served as an informal consultant to several US presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. He provided briefings to State Department officials following international trips and collaborated closely with UN Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr..

During the Korean War, President Truman appointed Blaustein to the National Advisory Board on Mobilization Policy. Truman highly regarded Blaustein’s advice on both foreign and domestic matters, frequently seeking firsthand updates after his overseas visits. In 1945, Truman paid a visit to Blaustein’s Baltimore residence, Alto Dale. Additionally, Blaustein offered counsel to Truman during the 1948 reelection campaign and later acted as a trustee for the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Blaustein continued his federal involvement under President Eisenhower as a member of the US delegation to the United Nations, a role he maintained through the administrations of Kennedy and Johnson. President Kennedy named him to the board of governors for the United Service Organizations and the Federal Advisory Committee on International Business, consulting him on matters such as foreign policy and Middle East refugee issues, while also inviting him to official state dinners.

He participated in the White House Conference on Community Development held in July 1963. Following JFK’s assassination, President Johnson reaffirmed Blaustein’s federal appointments and appointed him to the President's Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources, along with trusteeship at the Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation in 1964.

In September 1969, Blaustein and his wife were guests of President Richard Nixon at a White House dinner.

Personal life

In 1925, Blaustein wed Hilda Katz; together they had three children: Morton, Barbara, and Elizabeth.

He was passionate about collecting artworks by masters such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, André Derain, Camille Pissarro, and Maurice Utrillo. His interests also included classical music, gardening, and cultivating orchids. Forbes characterized him as "slender and soft spoken."

Politically aligned with the Democratic Party, Blaustein was an active contributor but maintained cooperative relationships with leaders from across the political landscape.

His board memberships spanned numerous organizations including the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Weizmann Institute of Science, Atlantic Council, Signet Banking Corporation, as well as the Associated Jewish Charities and Welfare Fund.

Philanthropy

The Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Family Foundation was founded in 1957 to allocate much of Blaustein’s fortune toward charitable, educational, and civic endeavors. The foundation champions Israeli democracy, global human rights efforts, and Jewish education in America. It plays a significant role in supporting the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research and Center for Scientific Cooperation at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

Within Baltimore, the foundation has contributed to initiatives in Baltimore City Public Schools, supported the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and funded research at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Death

Jacob Blaustein passed away on November 15, 1970, at the age of 78, in his residence located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Honors and legacy

Throughout his lifetime and after his passing, Blaustein was the recipient of multiple accolades. In 1951, he was awarded the Richard Gottheil Medal by the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and held the title of Knight of Malta. Honorary degrees were conferred upon him by Lehigh University in 1956, as well as by Wilberforce University and Morgan State College.

Blaustein appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine on September 15, 1968. Additional recognitions came from institutions such as the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the University of Maryland, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the New York Board of Rabbis.

In 1971, the American Jewish Committee founded the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, dedicated to combating religious intolerance and discrimination worldwide.

The year 1999 saw Blaustein honored as a "Marylander of the Century" by the Baltimore Sun. In 2015, Speaker Nancy Pelosi recounted her encounter with Senator John F. Kennedy at a dinner held in Blaustein’s honor during the 1950s.

Blaustein's collection of artworks is part of the permanent holdings at institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, Walters Art Museum, and Baltimore Museum of Art.

External links

Blaustein Philanthropic Group's biography of Jacob Blaustein