Jacob S. Lasdon (1895 – March 3, 1971) was an American pharmaceutical executive and philanthropist. Along with his brothers, he was an officer and director of
Warner-Lambert and a founder trustee of the Lasdon Foundation, which was created in 1946.
Early life and education
Jacob S. Lasdon was brought to the United States from the Russian Empire as an infant and educated in the public schools of
Brooklyn, New York. He had six younger siblings, including brothers
William S. Lasdon
William S. Lasdon (1896 – December 9, 1984) was an American pharmaceutical executive and philanthropist.
Early life
William S. Lasdon was born to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York in 1896. He was one of seven children including brothers Ja ...
, Philip S. Lasdon, Milton Lasdon, and
Stanley S. Lasdon and sisters Francis Milch and Miriam Gerrity.
Career
Lasdon went into the pharmaceutical business with his younger brothers. He was an officer and director of the Pyridium Corporation and of its successor, the Nepera Chemical Company, a manufacturer of prescription drugs. One of Nepera's units was the Anahist Company, formed to market Anahist, an over-the-counter preparation for colds. In 1956 the Lasdon's Nepera Chemical, including the Anahist unit, was acquired by
Warner-Lambert, which was itself later acquired by
Pfizer.
As treasurer of the Lasdon Foundation, Jacob Lasdon was instrumental in its establishment of the Lasdon Colonnade at
Lincoln Center, the Lasdon Clinic for Physical Medicine at
New York Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical Center (previously known as New York Hospital or Old New York Hospital or City Hospital) is a research hospital in New York City. It is part of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the teaching hospital for Cornell University.
...
, and many programs in medical research. A piano student in his youth, Lasdon's philanthropy further included assistance to many promising young musical artists. Lasdon was also a substantial contributor to the
Jewish Theological Seminary, from which he received the
Louis Marshall Award in 1969.
Personal life
Lasdon made his home at
The Pierre in
New York City. He was survived by his siblings and their children. His niece was prominent arts philanthropist
Nanette L. Laitman
Nanette L. Laitman (born 1924, New York City - March 23, 2020) was an art collector and philanthropist. She has been involved with the board of the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) and its precursors in New York City for over 25 years. She became ...
. The Lasdon family's country estate is now the
Lasdon Park and Arboretum
Lasdon Park and Arboretum (95 ha / 234 acres) is a public park containing gardens and an arboretum (12 ha / 30 acres). It is located on New York State Route 35, Somers, New York, and open to the public daily without charge.
Originally called ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lasdon, Jacob S.
1895 births
1993 deaths
20th-century American Jews
Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United States