Armand Hammer

Armand Hammer
FDR Presidential Library & Museum · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Armand Hammer
Birth date	May 21, 1898
Birth place	New York City
Death date	December 10, 1990
Death place	Los Angeles
Occupation	Businessman, philanthropist, diplomat

Armand Hammer was a prominent American businessman, philanthropist, and diplomat who played a significant role in shaping the world of international trade and diplomacy, particularly with the Soviet Union. He was the grandson of Julius Hammer, a Russian-born physician and socialist, and was raised in a family that valued Socialism and Communism. Hammer's life was marked by his interactions with influential figures such as Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leonid Brezhnev. He also had connections with notable individuals like Nikita Khrushchev, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Fidel Castro.

● Early Life and Education

Armand Hammer was born in New York City to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. His father, Julius Hammer, was a physician and a member of the Socialist Labor Party of America, while his mother, Rose Robinson, was a Women's Trade Union League activist. Hammer's early life was influenced by his family's involvement in Socialist and Communist movements, and he was exposed to the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. He attended Columbia University, where he studied medicine and later became a Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons graduate. During his time at Columbia University, Hammer was also involved with the American Socialist Party and was friends with notable figures like Norman Thomas and Eugene Debs.

● Business Career

Armand Hammer's business career began in the 1920s, when he established a trading company that dealt with the Soviet Union. He became a key figure in the development of Occidental Petroleum, which he later acquired and expanded into a global energy conglomerate. Hammer's business dealings took him to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America, where he interacted with leaders like Charles de Gaulle, Mao Zedong, and Jawaharlal Nehru. He was also involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict and had connections with leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser and Golda Meir. Hammer's business acumen and diplomatic skills earned him recognition and respect from world leaders, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon.

● Philanthropy and Diplomacy

Armand Hammer was a prolific philanthropist who supported various causes, including medical research, education, and arts. He was a major donor to institutions like the Columbia University Medical Center, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Getty Museum. Hammer's diplomatic efforts were recognized by world leaders, and he played a key role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and the Soviet Union. He was a friend and advisor to Andrei Gromyko, the Soviet Foreign Minister, and was involved in negotiations like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and the Helsinki Accords. Hammer's philanthropic and diplomatic work earned him numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Order of Lenin, and the Order of the British Empire.

● Personal Life

Armand Hammer was married three times, first to Angela Carey, then to Frances Tolman, and finally to Diane Burk. He had two children, Julian Hammer and Michael Hammer, and was known for his love of art and music. Hammer was a close friend of notable figures like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Leonard Bernstein. He was also an avid collector of art and antiques, and his collection included works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh. Hammer's personal life was marked by his love of luxury and his appreciation for the finer things in life, which he often displayed at his Los Angeles estate, Holmby Hills.

● Controversies and Legacy

Armand Hammer's life was not without controversy, and he was criticized for his dealings with the Soviet Union and his alleged ties to Communist organizations. He was also accused of tax evasion and bribery, and was the subject of several investigations, including those by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. Despite these controversies, Hammer's legacy as a businessman, philanthropist, and diplomat remains significant, and he is remembered for his contributions to international trade, medical research, and arts education. His name is associated with institutions like the Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West. Hammer's life and legacy continue to be studied by scholars and historians, including those at the Harvard University and the Stanford University. Category:American businesspeople