Sidney Harman

Sidney Harman was a pioneering American audio engineer, businessman, philanthropist, and public servant. He co-founded the global audio and electronics conglomerate Harman International Industries and later became the owner and publisher of the news magazine Newsweek. His career spanned the private sector, where he championed progressive workplace practices, and the public sphere, serving in the administration of President Jimmy Carter. Harman was also a significant benefactor to educational and cultural institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the University of Southern California.

Early life and education

Sidney Harman was born in Montreal to Orthodox Jewish parents who had emigrated from Eastern Europe. His family moved to New York City when he was a child, where he was raised in The Bronx. He attended City College of New York, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. His education was interrupted by service in the United States Army during World War II. After the war, he pursued graduate studies at The New School in Manhattan, earning a Ph.D. in social psychology, which later informed his innovative approaches to corporate management and labor relations.

Business career

In 1953, Harman partnered with engineer Bernard Kardon to found Harman Kardon, a company that revolutionized the consumer audio market by introducing the first integrated high-fidelity receiver. This innovation helped launch the component stereo industry. The company grew into Harman International Industries, a global leader in audio systems for automotive, consumer, and professional markets, encompassing iconic brands like JBL, AKG Acoustics, and Infinity Systems. A notable chapter in his business career was his 2010 purchase of the financially troubled Newsweek magazine from The Washington Post Company, merging it with the news website The Daily Beast in a joint venture with IAC. He was known for his progressive management philosophy, emphasizing employee participation and job enrichment, which he detailed in his book *Mind Your Own Business*.

Political and public service

Harman served in the administration of President Jimmy Carter as the Under Secretary of Commerce from 1977 to 1978. In this role, he was deeply involved in domestic economic policy and international trade issues. He was a prominent figure in Democratic Party circles and was considered for the position of United States Secretary of Commerce. His expertise in industrial policy and labor-management cooperation made him a valued advisor. He also served on several federal advisory committees, including the National Commission on Productivity and the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, applying his business acumen to public policy challenges.

Philanthropy and cultural involvement

A dedicated philanthropist, Sidney Harman supported numerous educational, arts, and medical institutions. He made a transformative $20 million gift to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, leading to the naming of the Sidney Harman Hall as part of the center's expansion. He was a major benefactor to the University of Southern California, where the Annenberg School for Communication building bears his name. Harman also served on the boards of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Aspen Institute, and he established the Harman Family Foundation to support a wide range of charitable causes in education, the arts, and social justice.

Personal life and death

Sidney Harman was married twice. His first marriage was to Clarissa Hall, with whom he had four children. In 1980, he married former Congresswoman Jane Frank, who represented California's 36th congressional district; they had two children together. He maintained residences in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Sidney Harman died on April 12, 2011, from complications of acute myeloid leukemia at George Washington University Hospital. His memorial service was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, attended by prominent figures from politics, business, and the arts, reflecting his wide-ranging influence.

Category:American businesspeople Category:American philanthropists Category:1918 births Category:2011 deaths