Julius Silver Papers
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Abstract
Julius Silver graduated from New York University's University College of Arts and Science in 1922. After graduating from Columbia University's School of Law, Silver served as partner in a law firm and also as vice-president of the Polaroid Corporation. Throughout his life, Silver donated generously to a variety of universities and research centers. His papers primarily focus on his business and philanthropic activities, including the construction of NYU residential centers, Columbia's Silver Center of Law, Science, and Technology, and the Julius Silver Institute of Biomedical Engineering Sciences at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
Biographical Note
A leading attorney, corporate executive, and philanthropist, Julius Silver (1900-2001) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Russian immigrants. The Silvers moved to Brooklyn, where Julius spent his childhood before receiving a scholarship to attend New York University. He graduated with a B.A. from the University College of Arts and Sciences in 1922 and was one of two members of his class elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1924, he graduated from Columbia School of Law with a LL.B. degree.
Silver ultimately served as a senior partner at the New York law firm Silver, Saperstein, Barnett and Solomon and as the Chairman of the Executive Committee and Vice President of the Polaroid Corporation. He was also deeply concerned with the problems and needs of higher education. He donated money to NYU to establish the Julius Silver Residence Center, the Julius Silver Scholarships for Students in the Sciences, and the Helbein Scholarships for Outstanding Student Leaders.
Silver also contributed to the development of the Albert Einstein Foundation for Higher Learning and was a primary mover in the founding of Brandeis University, the establishment of the Julius Silver Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Techion-Israel Institute of Technology, and the Julius Silver Chair in Law, Science and Technology at Columbia Law School. Silver also made a significant contribution to the New York University Faculty of Arts and Sciences upon his death, donating $150 million dollars to lure top professors to the university.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged by subject in five series:
I. Buildings
II. Julius Silver Institute of Bio-Medical Engineering
III. Jewish Theological Seminary of America
IV. Awards, Dedications, Photographs, and Objects
V. Newspaper Clippings and Correspondence
Scope and Contents
These papers primarily focus on Silver's business and philanthropic activities, including the construction of NYU residential centers, Columbia's Silver Center of Law, Science, and Technology, and the Julius Silver Institute of Biomedical Engineering Sciences at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The material chiefly includes correspondence regarding donations and awards, press releases, published papers and brochures, documentation related to the development of centers and institutes funded by Julius Silver, color transparencies, and miscellaneous family photographs.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Julius Silver are maintained by New York University. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from New York University Archives. Please contact university-archives@nyu.edu.
Preferred Citation note
Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Julius Silver Papers; MC 165; box number; folder number; New York University Archives, New York University Libraries.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials found in collection; there is no documentation concerning the provenance of these materials.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to 2019 are unknown.