Norman Wait Harris

Norman Wait Harris was a prominent American Banker and Philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of Chicago, Illinois during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a key figure in the establishment of several notable institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum of Natural History. Harris's contributions to the city's cultural and economic landscape were recognized by his peers, including Marshall Field and John Jacob Astor IV. His legacy continues to be felt in Chicago today, with many of the institutions he supported still thriving, such as the University of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

● Early Life and Education

Norman Wait Harris was born in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1846 to a family of modest means. He attended Harvard University, where he studied alongside notable figures such as William James and Charles William Eliot. After graduating from Harvard in 1869, Harris moved to Chicago, Illinois to pursue a career in Banking. He quickly became involved in the city's business community, working with prominent figures such as John V. Farwell and Lyman J. Gage. Harris's early career was marked by his involvement in the Chicago Board of Trade and the First National Bank of Chicago, where he worked alongside Melville E. Stone and Victor F. Lawson.

● Career

Harris's career in Banking spanned several decades, during which time he played a key role in the development of several major financial institutions, including the Harris Bank and the First National Bank of Chicago. He was also a prominent figure in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, working closely with notable economists such as Irving Fisher and Thorstein Veblen. Harris's business acumen and leadership skills earned him recognition from his peers, including J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller. He was also a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Chicago Club and the Economic Club of Chicago, where he interacted with influential figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

● Philanthropy

Norman Wait Harris was a dedicated Philanthropist who supported a wide range of causes, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the University of Chicago. He was a key figure in the establishment of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Opera House, working closely with notable musicians such as Gustav Mahler and Enrico Caruso. Harris's philanthropic efforts were recognized by his peers, including Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, who also supported various charitable causes, such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation. Harris's legacy continues to be felt in Chicago today, with many of the institutions he supported still thriving, such as the Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Public Library.

● Personal Life

Norman Wait Harris was married to Emmons Blaine and had several children, including Norman Harris Jr. and Emmons Blaine Harris. He was a member of several prestigious social clubs, including the Chicago Club and the Onwentsia Club, where he interacted with influential figures such as Marshall Field and Potter Palmer. Harris was also a close friend of several notable figures, including Theodore Dreiser and Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed several buildings in Chicago, including the Robie House and the Westcott House. Harris's personal life was marked by his love of Art and Music, and he was a frequent attendee at performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He passed away in 1916, leaving behind a legacy as one of Chicago's most prominent Bankers and Philanthropists, and his contributions continue to be recognized by institutions such as the University of Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago. Category:American bankers