Lessing J. Rosenwald

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Lessing Julius Rosenwald (February 10, 1891 – June 24, 1979) was an American businessman, a collector of rare books and art, and a chess patron.

Biography

Born in Chicago, Lessing J. Rosenwald was the son of Julius Rosenwald, a clothier who became part-owner and was president of Sears, Roebuck and Company from 1908–1923, and chairman from 1923–1932. Lessing went to work for Sears in 1911 as a shipping clerk, and in 1920, was given the responsibility of opening a catalog supply center for the growing mail-order company in Philadelphia. He resided for many years in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

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Giant Bible of Mainz donated by Rosenwald to the Library of Congress

Succeeding his father, he was chairman of Sears from 1932 until 1939, when he dedicated himself full-time to collecting rare books and art. In 1943, he pledged to donate his collections to the Library of Congress and the National Gallery of Art, both located in Washington, D.C., after his death. Rosenwald was also a chess enthusiast, and donated money to support American chess. He sponsored the U.S. Chess Championship in the 1950s.

Political activities

Rosenwald was the best known Jewish supporter of the America First Committee, which advocated American neutrality in World War II before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was led by his successor at Sears-Roebuck and lifelong friend Robert E. Wood. He resigned from the committee's board in December 1940 over concerns about anti-Semitism, but stated that he remained "fully in accord with the Committee's objectives".

In 1943, Rosenwald accepted the invitation to become President of the American Council for Judaism, an association of anti-Zionist Reform Jews, a position he held until 1955; after that he remained Chairman of the Board. During this time, Rosenwald was also active in rescue efforts of European Jews, and urged the United States to admit large numbers of refugees, both Jew and Gentile.

International renown

Lessing J. Rosenwald's importance as a rare book collector and donor to the Library of Congress is featured in David Baldacci's novel, The Camel Club, London (Pan Books) 2006, p. 164 ff.

Further reading

• The New York Times, June 26, 1979, p. C17, c. 1–2

External links

• Abington Art Center
• Library of Congress, The Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection
• Library of Congress, Lessing J. Rosenwald Digital Images, Rare Book and Special Collections Division
• National Gallery of Art, founding donor, Lessing J. Rosenwald
• Lessing J. Rosenwald Archive, 1913-2005 from the Rare Book and Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress