Mortimer L. Schiff
Mortimer Loeb Schiff | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 5, 1877 |
| Died | June 4, 1931 (aged 53) |
| Occupation(s) | Financier, Scouting leader |
| Known for | Leadership in Boy Scouts of America, partner at Kuhn, Loeb & Co. |
Mortimer Loeb Schiff (June 5, 1877 – June 4, 1931), occasionally referred to as Mortimer Leo Schiff, was a prominent American financier and an early influential figure within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). His involvement in scouting extended through his family, with his son John Mortimer Schiff also actively participating in the organization. Additionally, he was the father of Dorothy Schiff, who managed and published the New York Post from 1939 until 1976.
Life and career
Mortimer was born on June 5, 1877, as the sole son of Therese (née Loeb) and German Jewish banker and philanthropist Jacob Schiff.[1] He attended Amherst College as part of the class of 1896 but did not complete his degree; he is believed to have been among the institution’s earliest Jewish students.[2]
From the turn of the century until his passing in 1931, Schiff held a partnership at the financial firm Kuhn, Loeb & Co., while simultaneously dedicating considerable attention to promoting scouting activities across the United States. His leadership roles included membership on the World Scout Committee under the World Organization of the Scout Movement and participation on the Nassau County Council Executive Board. Starting in 1910, he occupied the position of vice-president within the BSA,[3] and was featured on the cover of Time magazine on February 14, 1927.[4] In 1931, he attained election as national president of the BSA but passed away just one month later, on June 4.[5] Additionally, he fulfilled duties as the BSA's International Commissioner for multiple years.
Legacy
The land designated for the Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation was acquired by his mother and named to honor him; it was subsequently donated to the BSA in April 1933 to serve as their principal training facility.
His son, John M. Schiff, was honored with the Bronze Wolf, which is the highest accolade granted by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, in recognition of outstanding contributions to global Scouting in 1961. This prestigious award had been established in 1935, four years following Mortimer Schiff’s death.
Personal life
Schiff was married to Adele Neustadt. Their daughter, Dorothy Schiff (1903–1989), held ownership and editorial control of the New York Post for nearly four decades. Both Mortimer and his son John M. Schiff were distinguished recipients of the BSA's Silver Buffalo Award.
See also
References
- ↑ In official documents, he identified himself as "Mortimer Leo Schiff" on his 1917 draft registration and as "Mortimer Loeb Schiff" on a passport application dated 1923.
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- 1877 births
- 1931 deaths
- Jewish American bankers
- American bankers
- Loeb family
- Recipients of the Bronze Wolf Award
- Schiff family
- World Scout Committee members
- Amherst College alumni
- Presidents of the Boy Scouts of America
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