Rosenwald, Julius (1862–1932)

US business executive and philanthropist who built up Sears, Roebuck & Company to become the USA's largest retail store, pioneering in the mail-order business, and creating one of the first savings and profit-sharing plans for employees. He gave generously to causes of all kinds.

He was born in Springfield, Illinois.He ran a menswear shop in Chicago 1885–95. At Sears, Roebuck & Company, he was vice-president 1895–1910, president 1910–25, and chairman of the board 1925–32. By 1917 he had set up the Julius Rosenwald Fund for the ‘well-being of mankind’. He gave to Jewish groups in Russia, to Germany after World War I, and to African-American Young Men's Christian Associations and to schools in the southern USA.