Many people believe philanthropy is a practice limited to the wealthy and powerful. But this collection of 78 profiles that describe 110 individuals and in some cases families reveals that some people of modest means have helped shape American life through voluntary service or charitable donations. Although most readers will have heard of the Rockefellers or the Guggenheims, or are aware of Jane Addams' work in the early 1900s at Hull House in Chicago, fewer might be familiar with Oseola McCarty, a laundress who gave $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995, or Rebecca Gratz, who established the first independent Jewish women's charitable association in 1819. Among other names that appear here are Clara Barton, Andrew Carnegie, Cesar Chavez, and Bill Gates. One entry describes the strong commitment of the Lakota nation to giving and sharing. There is little awareness of American Indian philanthropy, and yet it is one of America's oldest philanthropic traditions.
The entries, varying from 1,500 to 2,500 words in length for individuals and 2,500 to 9,000 for families, examine early life and education, career, philosophy, motivations, and actions. Some short examples of a person's writings may be included, and the contributions to society are evaluated. The entries conclude with compact bibliographies and are cross-referenced. The appendixes include "Timeline of American Philanthropy" (from the 1600s to 1999), a list of videos and a list of children's books about some of the people who are profiled, and an index that interfiles personal or family names, organizations, and subjects.
This volume complements other information on the more famous persons and also introduces readers to some forgotten or lesser-known persons. It is recommended for large public and academic libraries.
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Pressestimmen
“The first comprehensive collective biography of American philanthropists. Recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduates.”–
Choice“This is a wonderful book. It profiles 79 individuals (or families) and one group of people, the Lakota, who made or are making major contributions to American society and to the world....This volume inspires, and it provides its readers with a grand sense of options. Few of us have the resources to donate billions of dollars, but as these 80 chapters reflect, all of us have something to give.”–
CharityChannel.com“[T]his collection of 78 profiles that describe 110 individuals and in some cases families reveals that some people of modest means have helped shape American life through voluntary service or charitable donations....This volume complements other information on some of the more famous persons and also introduces readers to some forgotten or lesser-known persons. IT is recommended for large public and academic libraries.”–
Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin“Notable American and Philanthropists usefully identifies great philanthropists and lists their most important gifts and good deeds.”–
Philanthropy“Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.”–
Gale Reference Reviews