Isaac Newton Seligman
Encyclopedia
Isaac Newton Seligman was an American banker and communal worker.
in the firm of Seligman & Hellman in New Orleans, he joined the New York branch, of which he became head in 1880, on the death of his father Joseph Seligman
.
He was connected with almost all the important social reform committees in New York. He was a trustee of nineteen important commercial, financial, and other institutions and societies, including the Munich Life Assurance Company, St. John's Guild, and the McKinley Memorial Association. He was a member of the Committee of Seventy
, of Fifteen
, and of Nine, each of which attempted at various times to reform municipal government in New York; of the last-named body he was chairman. He was a trustee of Temple Emanu-El
and of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum
, as well as of the United Hebrew Charities, and also a member of the Ethical Culture Society.
He was married to Guta Loeb.
His portrait, three-quarter length seated, was painted by the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Muller-Ury
(1862–1947) but is now missing. Muller-Ury also painted the portrait of his five-year-old son Joseph L. Seligman (1886–1944) in 1891, which was exhibited in January 1892.
Early life
Seligman attended Columbia Grammar School and Columbia College, from which he graduated in 1876. He was one of the crew, which won the university eight-oar college race on Saratoga Lake in 1874.Career
In 1878, after an apprenticeshipApprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
in the firm of Seligman & Hellman in New Orleans, he joined the New York branch, of which he became head in 1880, on the death of his father Joseph Seligman
Joseph Seligman
Joseph Seligman was a prominent U.S. banker, and businessman. He has been described as a "robber baron". He was born in Baiersdorf, Germany, emigrating to the United States when he was 18. With his brothers, he started a bank, J. & W. Seligman & Co., with branches in New York, San Francisco, New...
.
He was connected with almost all the important social reform committees in New York. He was a trustee of nineteen important commercial, financial, and other institutions and societies, including the Munich Life Assurance Company, St. John's Guild, and the McKinley Memorial Association. He was a member of the Committee of Seventy
Committee of Seventy
The Committee of Seventy is a good government group in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, founded in 1904. It is a nonpartisan organization perhaps best known for monitoring elections in the city and its suburbs. Zack Stalberg is President and Chief Executive Officer and Daniel K...
, of Fifteen
Committee of Fifteen
The Committee of Fifteen was a New York City citizens' group that lobbied for the elimination of prostitution and gambling. It was established in November 1900. The Committee hired investigators who visited city locations where prostitution and gambling was alleged to have taken place and filed...
, and of Nine, each of which attempted at various times to reform municipal government in New York; of the last-named body he was chairman. He was a trustee of Temple Emanu-El
Temple Emanu-El
Temple Emanu-El of New York was the first Reform Jewish congregation in New York City and, because of its size and prominence, has served as a flagship congregation in the Reform branch of Judaism since its founding in 1845. Its landmark Romanesque Revival building on Fifth Avenue is widely...
and of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum
Hebrew Orphan Asylum of New York
The Hebrew Orphan Asylum of New York was a Jewish orphanage in New York City. It was founded in 1860 by the Hebrew Benevolent Society. It closed in 1941, after pedagogical research concluded that children thrive better in foster care or small group homes, rather than in large institutions...
, as well as of the United Hebrew Charities, and also a member of the Ethical Culture Society.
He was married to Guta Loeb.
His portrait, three-quarter length seated, was painted by the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Muller-Ury
Adolfo Müller-Ury
Adolfo Muller-Ury was a Swiss-born American portrait painter and impressionistic painter of roses and still life.-Heritage and early life in Switzerland:...
(1862–1947) but is now missing. Muller-Ury also painted the portrait of his five-year-old son Joseph L. Seligman (1886–1944) in 1891, which was exhibited in January 1892.