Richard Gilder

Richard Gilder
Name	Richard Gilder
Birth date	31 May 1932
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Death date	12 May 2020
Death place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Financier, philanthropist
Known for	Co-founding Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, philanthropy to American Museum of Natural History
Education	Yale University (BA)

Richard Gilder was an American financier, philanthropist, and influential supporter of historical education and scientific institutions. He co-founded the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, which became a major force in promoting the study of American history, and was a transformative benefactor of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. His philanthropic vision and political activism were deeply intertwined with his belief in free-market principles and the importance of civic education.

Early life and education

Richard Gilder was born in Manhattan and grew up in the Upper East Side. He attended the prestigious Buckley School before enrolling at Yale University, where he graduated with a degree in history in 1954. At Yale, he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the influential Skull and Bones society, connections that would later inform his network in finance and philanthropy. His early interest in history and the American Civil War was nurtured during these formative years.

Business career

After serving in the United States Army, Gilder began his career in finance. In 1968, he co-founded the brokerage firm Gilder, Gagnon & Co., which specialized in growth-stock investing. He was an early and vocal proponent of supply-side economics, associating with figures like Jude Wanniski and Jack Kemp. His firm became highly successful, providing the substantial wealth that would later fund his philanthropic endeavors. Gilder was also a founding partner of the New York City Partnership, an organization focused on the city's economic development.

Philanthropy and museum support

Gilder's most enduring philanthropic legacy was co-founding the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in 1994 with his fellow Yale alumnus Lewis E. Lehrman. The institute, affiliated with the New-York Historical Society, sponsors the Gilder Lehrman Prize and creates extensive educational programs for teachers and students. He was also a monumental benefactor to the American Museum of Natural History, where his donations led to the creation of the Richard Gilder Graduate School, the museum's first-ever doctoral-granting program, and the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, designed by architect Jeanne Gang.

Political involvement

A lifelong Republican, Gilder was a significant donor and activist for conservative causes and candidates. He was a major supporter of Jack Kemp's political career and an advocate for enterprise zone legislation. He served on the board of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, a conservative think tank, and was involved with the Club for Growth, which supports pro-free-market political candidates. His political philosophy centered on economic liberty and was deeply connected to his philanthropic mission of promoting American historical understanding.

Personal life and death

Gilder was married to Lois Chiles, an actress and former model, from 2005 until his death. He had five children from a previous marriage. An avid collector, his interests ranged from American Civil War memorabilia to modern art. Richard Gilder died of cancer at his home in Manhattan on May 12, 2020, at the age of 87. His memorial service was held at the American Museum of Natural History, a central institution in his life's work.

Legacy and honors

Gilder's legacy is cemented in the major institutions he supported. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History annually awards the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize. He received an honorary doctorate from Yale University and the American Museum of Natural History's Richard Gilder Award is named in his honor. His transformative gifts fundamentally expanded the educational and scientific missions of the American Museum of Natural History, ensuring his impact endures in both the study of history and natural science.

Category:American philanthropists Category:American financiers Category:Yale University alumni