Paul Mellon
Paul Mellon
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Paul Marvin Mellon was born on June 11, 1907, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Harmarville, Pennsylvania. He is commonly known as Paul Mellon.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: June 11, 1907
Died: July 22, 1999 (age 92)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American businessman, philanthropist, and art collector.
Early Life and Background
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Paul Mellon was the son of Andrew William Mellon, a wealthy banker and politician who would later become Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Warren G. Harding and Herbert Hoover. Growing up in a family of great wealth and influence, Paul was encouraged from an early age to pursue his interests in business and art.
Mellon attended Yale University, where he developed a passion for history and politics. After graduating in 1929, he worked briefly at the family bank before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. During his time in the service, Mellon rose to the rank of commander and was awarded several honors for his bravery.
Major Accomplishments
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Mellon's business career spanned several decades, with a focus on investment banking and finance. In 1937, he co-founded the investment firm Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), which would later become a leading player in the financial industry.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mellon was also a dedicated philanthropist and art collector. He donated extensively to various institutions, including Yale University, where he contributed significantly to the development of the Yale Center for British Art and the Yale School of Drama.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works and actions associated with Paul Mellon include:
Mellon Family Residences: Mellon's family homes in Pennsylvania and Virginia have been preserved as historic sites, offering insight into the lives of America's wealthy elite during the early 20th century.
Yale Center for British Art: As a major benefactor to Yale University, Mellon played a key role in establishing the Yale Center for British Art, which houses an impressive collection of British art and artifacts.
* Mellon Fund: In 1940, Paul and his wife Mary formed the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (now known as The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), which has since become one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world.
Impact and Legacy
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Paul Mellon's impact on American society extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. As a devoted philanthropist, he helped shape the cultural landscape of the United States through his generous donations to various institutions.
Mellon's love for art and history led him to collect extensively throughout his life, with a particular focus on British art and artifacts. His collection, which includes works by artists such as J.M.W. Turner and Thomas Gainsborough, is now housed at the Yale Center for British Art.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Paul Mellon's legacy as a respected businessman, philanthropist, and art collector has cemented his place in American history. His commitment to giving back to society, combined with his passion for the arts, makes him an inspiring figure who continues to influence new generations of leaders and artists.
As we reflect on the life and achievements of Paul Mellon, it becomes clear that his impact extends far beyond his own time and circumstances. Through his work and philanthropy, he has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire us for years to come.
Quotes by Paul Mellon
The horse is an archetypal symbol which will always find ways to stir up deep and moving ancestral memories in every human being.
It was my father's hope, and it is ours, that the National Gallery would become not a static but a living institution, growing in usefulness and importance to artists, scholars and the general public.
When you give away large sums of money, you can cause as much damage as you may do good.
In a way, my father was lucky. He had a hunch that his vision of the National Gallery would interest other collectors and persuade them to come in with him, and that hunch proved to be right.
Within 18 months of my parents' marriage in 1900, my mother fell in love with an Englishman who would have described himself as a gentleman but who was, in fact, nothing more than a devious adventurer.
College isn't the only answer. Reading is a college that you can and should attend all your life.
Preliminary drawings or sketches in oil or pastel often have an immediacy and emotional appeal far greater than the final canvas.
Just as there is no substitute for original works of art, there is no substitute for the world of direct sensual experience.
There is no intellectual or emotional substitute for the authentic, the original, the unique masterpiece.