Julius Rosenwald

Julius Rosenwald. . , Julius Rosenwald , Businessman and philanthropist , 1862 - 1932, Sears, Roebuck and Company became a household name because of the energy and vision of Julius Rosenwald. He developed Sears’ mail-order business when much of the nation lived in small villages and on farms. He joined the company in 1895 as vice president and in 1924 became chairman of the board. He built his home here at 4901 South Ellis Avenue in 1903., Rosenwald’s leadership extended to his philanthropy. He created the Rosenwald Foundation in 1917 to make his donations “investments in a more equitable society.” African-Americans and European Jews were the primary focus of the Foundation, whose activities ranged from establishing dental clinics in public schools to supporting Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1928 expedition to the South Pole. Almost $600,000 was given to build YMCA-YWCAs in African-American communities throughout the country and an additional $4 million assisted black southerners in the construction of over 5,000 public schools. In Chicago, Rosenwald’s vision and contributions helped establish the Museum of Science and Industry and privately financed moderate- income housing like the Michigan Boulevard Garden Apartments.