Rodman Wanamaker

Lewis Rodman Wanamaker (February 13, 1863 – March 9, 1928) was an American businessman and heir to the Wanamaker's department store fortune. In addition to operating stores in Philadelphia, New York City, and Paris, he was a patron of the arts, education, golf, athletics, a Native American scholarship, and of early aviation. In 1916, he served as a presidential elector for Pennsylvania, and was appointed Special Deputy Police Commissioner of New York City under Richard Enright in February 1918. In this capacity, he founded the world's first police aviation unit and oversaw reorganization of the New York City Reserve Police Force. In 1916, Wanamaker originated the proposal for the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Early life and education Wanamaker was born on February 13, 1863, in Philadelphia, to John Wanamaker and Mary Erringer Brown. He entered Princeton University in 1881, graduating in 1886. In college, he sang in the choir, and was a member and business manager of the Princeton Glee Club. He was a member of the Ivy Club, Princeton University's first eating club. He was a member of the 1885 Princeton Tigers football team that won the national championship with a dramatic last-minute punt return over the Yale Bulldogs. Career In 1886, Wanamaker joined his father's business. He married Fernanda Henry of Philadelphia and went to Paris as resident manager in 1889, where he lived for more than ten years. When his father purchased the former Alexander Turney Stewart business in New York City, in 1896, he helped revolutionize the department store with top quality items and is credited in particular with fueling an American demand for French luxury goods.