James S. Marcus
James Stewart Marcus | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 5, 2015 (aged 85) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Investment banker, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1956–2015 |
| Known for | Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Metropolitan Opera (1986–1993) |
James Stewart Marcus (December 15, 1929 – July 5, 2015) was a prominent American investment banker affiliated with Goldman Sachs and a dedicated philanthropist who championed classical music, opera, and vocal arts within New York City. He notably held the position of chairman on the Board of Directors at the Metropolitan Opera for a period of eight years.
Life and career
James Stewart Marcus, grandson of Joseph S. Marcus, the founder of the Bank of United States, was born and raised in New York City. He completed his undergraduate studies with a B.A. from Harvard University in 1951, followed by an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1953. Marcus began his career at Goldman Sachs in 1956, becoming a general partner from 1964 until 1982.
Marcus became a member of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Opera in 1973, later serving as chairman between 1986 and 1993, and assuming the role of honorary director starting in 1997. In 2010, he contributed ten million dollars to the Juilliard School, facilitating the creation of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts. Additionally, he was a longstanding patron of WQXR-FM.
His trusteeships extended to several institutions such as the American Composers Orchestra, Lenox Hill Hospital, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the Manhattan Theatre Club. Marcus passed away in Manhattan in 2015.