The Nathan Straus Pasteurized Milk Laboratory, established in 1892, utilized private funding to provide safe milk to children, directly countering infant mortality rates. This endeavor marked a significant shift in public health, as Straus transitioned from his roles as a prominent department store magnate to become a leading humanitarian and proponent of large-scale disease prevention initiatives.
Business Trajectory
Born in 1848 in Otterberg, Germany, Straus relocated to Georgia with his family in 1854. Following the American Civil War, the family moved to New York City, where his father established the glassware firm L. Straus & Sons. Straus became a partner in R. H. Macy & Company in 1888, eventually achieving co-ownership by 1896. In 1893, he and his brother Isidor acquired an interest in the Brooklyn dry-goods store Abraham and Wechsler, subsequently renaming the enterprise Abraham & Straus.
Public Service and Health Advocacy
Straus held several civic positions, including member of the Board of Education and parks commissioner. In 1898, he served as the Commissioner of Health of the City of New York. His advocacy for milk pasteurization was central to his philanthropic work, detailed in his publication, Disease in Milk: The Remedy. This work addressed the transmission of tuberculosis, typhoid, and diphtheria through unpasteurized milk. Beyond his health initiatives, he opened homeless shelters offering affordable beds and meals during the 1893 economic panic.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Zionism and Later Life
Following a 1904 visit to Palestine, Straus and his wife, Lina Gutherz, became active supporters of Zionist causes. He funded soup kitchens, workrooms for unskilled laborers, and health centers to combat malaria and trachoma. He provided $250,000 for the Jerusalem Health Center and supported the founding of a Pasteur Institute. In 1912, a leg injury prevented him from joining his brother Isidor on the RMS Titanic; Isidor died in the disaster. Straus retired in 1914 to focus exclusively on charitable work.
Legacy
The Israeli city of Netanya, founded in 1927, was named in honor of Straus. Additionally, Rehov Straus in Jerusalem bears his name. His philanthropic contributions included support for the New York Public Library and the construction of recreational piers on the New York waterfront. Straus died in Manhattan on January 11, 1931, and is buried at Beth El Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1848, Otterberg, Germany
- Died: 1931, Manhattan, New York City
- Citizenship: United States; Germany
- Positions: Commissioner of Health of the City of New York (1898)
- Spouse: Lina Gutherz
- Notable Philanthropy: Nathan Straus Pasteurized Milk Laboratory
- Buried at: Beth El Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Was Nathan Straus involved in the founding of Macy's?
Yes, he and his brothers became partners in R. H. Macy & Company in 1888 and co-owners in 1896.
Why was the city of Netanya named after him?
The Israeli city, founded in 1927, was named in his honor due to his extensive philanthropic support for Palestine and Jewish causes.
What was the significance of the Nathan Straus Pasteurized Milk Laboratory?
Founded in 1892, the laboratory provided pasteurized milk to children to combat infant mortality and diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, and diphtheria.
