James Stewart Marcus(15 December 1929 – 5 July 2015) was an Americanphilanthropistand investment banker atGoldman Sachswho supported classical music, opera, and the vocal arts in and around New York City. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors of theMetropolitan Operafor eight years.
Life and career
editBorn James Stewart Marcus, he was the grandson ofJoseph S. Marcuswho founded theBank of United States.[1]Raised in New York City, Marcus graduated fromHarvard Universitywith a B.A. in 1951 and earned an M.B.A. from theHarvard Business Schoolin 1953. In 1951, he was editor ofThe Harvard Crimson.In 1956, he joined the firm of Goldman Sachs and was a general partner there from 1964 to 1982.[2]
In 1973, Marcus was named a member of the Board of Directors of theMetropolitan Opera,and later served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Met from 1986 to 1993. In 1997, he was elected an honorary director of the Met Board. In 2010, he gave ten million dollars to theJuilliard Schoolto establish the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts. He was also a longtime generous supporter ofWQXR-FM.[3]
Marcus was a trustee of numerous organizations, including theAmerican Composers Orchestra,theAnimal Medical Center of New York,theCalamus Foundation,theCathedral of St. John the Divine,theCollegiate Chorale,theGuild Hall Center for the Performing Arts,Lenox Hill Hospital,theLincoln Center for the Performing Arts,theManhattan Theatre Club,andWNET.[2]He died in Manhattan in 2015.[1]
References
edit- ^abSam Roberts."James Marcus, Opera Benefactor and Ex-Goldman Partner, Dies at 85".The New York Times.
- ^abF. Paul Driscoll (6 July 2015)."James S. Marcus, Longtime Metropolitan Opera Guild Board Member and Former Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera, has Died".Opera News.
- ^Fred Plotkin (July 7, 2015)."Remembering James S. Marcus".WQXR Online.