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Levy Mayer
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons9

Levy Mayer

American lawyer (1858–1922)

Levy Mayer (October 23, 1858 – August 14, 1922) was an American lawyer from Virginia. A child prodigy of law, Mayer graduated from Yale Law School before he could even legally practice the profession in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Levy Mayer (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Oct 23, 1858, died Aug 14, 1922.1

About

After several years organizing the Chicago Law Library, Mayer practiced with Adolf Kraus. Mayer became one of the most infamous lawyers in Chicago by defending large corporations against anti-trust litigation. Furthermore, he successfully defended the Iroqouis Theater and its manager in the aftermath of the Iroquois Theatre fire. At the time of his death, he was considered one of the richest lawyers in the United States. He is the namesake of Levy Mayer Hall at Northwestern University and his law firm is today known as Mayer Brown.

From Wikipedia’s article on Levy Mayer, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedYale Law School3
  • Date not recordedYale College3

Career

Occupation: lawyer.5

Personal life

  • BornOct 23, 1858, Richmond6
  • CitizenshipUnited States7

Mayer married Rachel Meyer in 1886; they had two daughters: Hortense and Madeline. Mayer was not active in any religious body or social club, though he did hold a membership in the Union League Club of Chicago, the Germania Club, and the Iroquois Club. He lived on Prairie Avenue in Chicago and had a second home in Boston, Massachusetts, where his children were schooled. In his free time, Mayer collected rare books and wines. He was never active in politics, though he served as a delegate to the 1920 Illinois Constitutional convention.

Mayer died in the Blackstone Hotel on August 14, 1922. At the time of his death, his estate was estimated at $25 million. He was buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago. After his death, Rachel donated a large sum of money to the Northwestern University School of Law; the university dedicated Levy Mayer hall in his honor in 1926. Edgar Lee Masters wrote a biography of Mayer in 1927.

From Wikipedia’s article on Levy Mayer (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources

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