George J. Ames

George J. Ames (1917 – February 2, 2001) was an American philanthropist and investment banker at Lazard Freres.^[1]

Biography

Ames was born in 1917 in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. Growing up, Ames attended violin lessons at Hartley House, through which he earned a scholarship to Fieldston School and Columbia College, from which he graduated in 1937.^[2] He subsequently received a law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1942, before serving four years in the United States Navy.^[1][3]

Ames joined Lazard Freres in 1937 as a college student and was made a general partner in 1957. Ames was a lieutenant for André Meyer, who headed Lazard's American operations, and oversaw the firm's advisory business.^[4] He was credited with making the firm's first significant real estate investment and undertaking several real estate deals with real estate developer William Zeckendorf.^[1]

Ames was also the chairman emeritus of Columbia College's board of visitors.^[1]

Personal life and family

Ames was married to Marion Ames, a noted lawyer and advocate for reform in the New York Court system.^[5] He died on February 2, 2001, at his home in Rye, New York, at age 83.^[1]

References

1. Henriques, Diana B. (2001-02-09). "George J. Ames, 83, Financier Who Spent 60 Years at Lazard". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
2. "George J. Ames '37: Financier and Philanthropist". www.college.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
3. Ellis, Charles D.; Vertin, James R. (2003-01-24). Wall Street People: True Stories of the Great Barons of Finance. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-27428-5.
4. Cohan, William D. (2007-04-03). The Last Tycoons: The Secret History of Lazard Freres & Co. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-385-52177-2.
5. Lambert, Bruce (1992-08-17). "Marion Ames, Reform Advocate For New York Court System, 74". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-29.