Augustus Juilliard

Augustus D. Juilliard (April 19, 1836 – April 25, 1919) was an American businessman whose philanthropy built the renowned conservatory of dance, music, and theatre in New York City that bears his name. The son of immigrants from the Burgundy region of France, Juilliard was born at sea while his parents were en route to the United States. His parents were Jean Nicolas Juilliard, a shoemaker, and Anna Burlette, who were both Huguenots. Augustus was... more

Augustus D. Juilliard (April 19, 1836 – April 25, 1919) was an American businessman whose philanthropy built the renowned conservatory of dance, music, and theatre in New York City that bears his name. The son of immigrants from the Burgundy region of France, Juilliard was born at sea while his parents were en route to the United States. His parents were Jean Nicolas Juilliard, a shoemaker, and Anna Burlette, who were both Huguenots. Augustus was raised in Ohio. In 1866, he settled in New York City and worked for a manufacturing company of worsted fabrics. The company went bankrupt seven years later in 1873 and Augustus Juilliard created his own corporation, the Augustus D. Juilliard Company, in 1874 which distributed textiles including wool, silk, and cotton. He became a successful and wealthy merchant who added to his fortune through investments in banking, railroad and insurance. He resided on Tuxedo Park, NY where he owned a grand mansion. A patron of the Metropolitan Museum of... less