Caroline Bamberger Fuld
Encyclopedia
Caroline Frank Fuld (March 16, 1864 - July 18, 1944) was an American businesswoman and philanthropist most noted for co-founding (with her brother Louis Bamberger
) the Institute for Advanced Study
in Princeton, New Jersey.
Fuld, who was called "Carrie", grew up in Baltimore, the fifth of six children born to Elkan Bamberger, who had emigrated from Bavaria in 1840, and Theresa (Hutzler) Bamberger, who was heir to a large Baltimore department store. Carry moved with her brother Louis to Philadelphia in 1883, and the two of them, with business partners Louis Meyer Frank and Felix Fuld, started the business that became L. Bamberger and Co.
The four partners all worked in the store and developed new methods of retail advertising and selling.
Carrie married Louis Frank in 1883, a marriage that lasted until the latter's death in 1910. In 1913, Carrie married their other business partner, Felix Fuld, outliving also his death in 1929. Neither marriage produced children. Louis Bamberger and Carrie Fuld sold L. Bamberger and Co.
to R. H. Macy and Co.
in June, 1929, fortuitously before the stock market crash
.
Subsequently, Carrie Fuld devoted her energies to philanthropy. With her husband, and continuing after his death, she contributed to Jewish charities, including Newark's Beth Israel Hospital, the Jewish Relief Committee
, and Hadassah
. In 1931, she was elected national director of the National Council of Jewish Women
.
Most remembered, however, is the decision in 1929 by Carrie and her brother to seek the advice of Abraham Flexner
, and subsequently to support, and endow financially, his vision for what became the Institute for Advanced Study
in Princeton. Fuld and Bamberger contributed $5 million in 1930 for its initial endowment, and approximately $18 million in all over time. Carrie was vice-president of the nascent Institute until 1933, and thereafter was a life trustee.
Louis Bamberger
Louis Bamberger was Newark, New Jersey's leading citizen from the early 1900s until his death in 1944. He was a businessman and philanthropist and at his death all flags in Newark were flown at half-staff for three days, and his large department store closed for a day.Louis Bamberger was born in...
) the Institute for Advanced Study
Institute for Advanced Study
The Institute for Advanced Study, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, is an independent postgraduate center for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. It was founded in 1930 by Abraham Flexner...
in Princeton, New Jersey.
Fuld, who was called "Carrie", grew up in Baltimore, the fifth of six children born to Elkan Bamberger, who had emigrated from Bavaria in 1840, and Theresa (Hutzler) Bamberger, who was heir to a large Baltimore department store. Carry moved with her brother Louis to Philadelphia in 1883, and the two of them, with business partners Louis Meyer Frank and Felix Fuld, started the business that became L. Bamberger and Co.
Bamberger's
Bamberger's was a department store chain with locations primarily in New Jersey, but also Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. The chain was headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.-History:Founded in 1893 by Louis Bamberger as L...
The four partners all worked in the store and developed new methods of retail advertising and selling.
Carrie married Louis Frank in 1883, a marriage that lasted until the latter's death in 1910. In 1913, Carrie married their other business partner, Felix Fuld, outliving also his death in 1929. Neither marriage produced children. Louis Bamberger and Carrie Fuld sold L. Bamberger and Co.
Bamberger's
Bamberger's was a department store chain with locations primarily in New Jersey, but also Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. The chain was headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.-History:Founded in 1893 by Louis Bamberger as L...
to R. H. Macy and Co.
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
in June, 1929, fortuitously before the stock market crash
Wall Street Crash of 1929
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 , also known as the Great Crash, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout...
.
Subsequently, Carrie Fuld devoted her energies to philanthropy. With her husband, and continuing after his death, she contributed to Jewish charities, including Newark's Beth Israel Hospital, the Jewish Relief Committee
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is a worldwide Jewish relief organization headquartered in New York. It was established in 1914 and is active in more than 70 countries....
, and Hadassah
Hadassah
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America is an American Jewish volunteer women's organization. Founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, it is one of the largest international Jewish organizations, with around...
. In 1931, she was elected national director of the National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Jewish Women
The National Council of Jewish Women defines itself as a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action...
.
Most remembered, however, is the decision in 1929 by Carrie and her brother to seek the advice of Abraham Flexner
Abraham Flexner
Abraham Flexner was an American educator. His Flexner Report, published in 1910, reformed medical education in the United States...
, and subsequently to support, and endow financially, his vision for what became the Institute for Advanced Study
Institute for Advanced Study
The Institute for Advanced Study, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, is an independent postgraduate center for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. It was founded in 1930 by Abraham Flexner...
in Princeton. Fuld and Bamberger contributed $5 million in 1930 for its initial endowment, and approximately $18 million in all over time. Carrie was vice-president of the nascent Institute until 1933, and thereafter was a life trustee.