August Heckscher

Early life

Heckscher was born in Hamburg, Germany. He was the son of Johann Gustav Heckscher (1797–1865) and Marie Antoinette Bräutigam.

Career

In 1867, Heckscher immigrated to the United States. He initially worked in his cousin Richard Heckscher's coal mining operation as a laborer, studying English at night. Several years later he formed a partnership with his cousin under the name of Richard Heckscher & Company. The firm was eventually sold to the Reading Railroad. Heckscher then turned to zinc mining and organized the Zinc and Iron Company, becoming vice-president and general manager. In 1897, it was consolidated with other zinc and iron companies into the New Jersey Zinc Company with Heckscher serving as the general manager.

Philanthropy

Heckscher eventually became a multimillionaire and a philanthropist. He started The Heckscher Foundation for Children and created playgrounds in lower Manhattan and in Central Park. Heckscher Playground, Central Park's largest playground, is named in his honor. Heckscher also created Heckscher Park in the town of Huntington and created the Heckscher Museum of Art. The State of New York purchased nearly 1,500 acres in East Islip with money donated by Heckscher to create Heckscher State Park, made famous for hosting summer concerts for 35 years of the New York Philharmonic.

Personal life

In 1881, he married Anna P. Atkins (1859–1924). Together, they were the parents of:

• Gustave Maurice Heckscher (1884–1967), who became an aviation pioneer and California real estate investor in the early 1900s.
• Antoinette Heckscher (1888–1965), who married British aristocrat and architect Capt. Oliver Sylvain Baliol Brett (later the 3rd Viscount Esher), son of Reginald Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher.

In 1930, he married Virginia Henry Curtiss ( – 1941) at Croton-on-Hudson. She was the widow of Edwin Burr Curtiss, of A. G. Spalding Bros. and was 27 years younger than Heckscher.

August Heckscher died on April 26, 1941, in Mountain Lake, Florida and left his widow $10,000 and all his real estate. She died on July 11, 1941.

Descendants

His grandson August Heckscher II (1913–1997), served as President John F. Kennedy's Special Consultant on the Arts, the first White House cultural adviser, 1962–1963, as well New York City Mayor John Lindsay's Parks Commissioner, 1967, amongst other highlights in a wide-ranging career and life.

References

References

1. [https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/gnd116562919.html#ndbcontent deutsche-biographie.de]
2. (1942). "Yearbook of the Encyclopedia Americana". [[Encyclopedia Americana]].
3. (October 2, 1912). "MISS HECKSCHER WEDS O. S. B. BRETT Son. of Viscount Esher of England Married to Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Heckscher. {{!}} CEREMONY AT WINCOMA {{!}} Some of the Guests Arrive on Heckscher Yacht--Bridal Pair Sail on the Mauretania". [[The New York Times]].
4. (July 11, 1941). "Mrs. A. Heckscher, Philanthropist, 66. Widow of Real Estate Man Dies in Penthouse Home in Office Building". [[The New York Times]].
5. (July 8, 1930). "Heckscher, 81, Weds Mrs. V. H. Curtiss, 55. Philanthropist Quietly Married to Widow of E. B. Curtiss at Croton Last Wednesday. Bride, a Close Friend of His First Wife, Has Been Associated With Him in Child Welfare Work. Wed in Parsonage. Born in Hamburg in 1848.". The New York Times.
6. (April 27, 1941). "Heckscher Dies, Noted Financier. Came to U. S. as Immigrant. Worked First as Laborer. Became Philanthropist. Philanthropist Dies At 92. Was Long Ill". [[Associated Press]] in the [[Hartford Courant]].
7. (April 27, 1941). "August Heckscher Dies In Sleep At 92. Philanthropist, Real Estate and Steel Operator Was in Florida Home. Philanthropist Dead August Heckscher Dies In Sleep At 92". The New York Times.
8. (May 4, 1941). "Heckscher Estate Is Left To Family; Widow Gets Realty, $10,000. Half Interest in Residue Shared With Son. No Gifts Go To Charity. Philanthropist Explains These Were Made During Life. Cash Bequests $28,000". The New York Times.
9. (July 19, 1941). "No Heckscher Kin Found. Executor Seeks Earlier Will to Dispose of Estate Residue". The New York Times.
10. Pace, Eric. (April 7, 1997). "August Heckscher, 83, Dies; Advocate for Parks and Arts". The New York Times.