Lasker, Mary

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role

Collector Dealer/Gallery Scholar/Critic/Expert

dates

1900-1994

city

New York City

state

NY

other cities

Watertown, WI;

sex

F

historical notes

Mary Woodard Lasker (1900-1994), civic worker and philanthropist, was a businesswoman prior to her second marriage in 1940 to the advertising executive and philanthropist, Albert Davis Lasker (1880-1952). She married the owner, art dealer Paul Reinhardt, in 1926-1934, and became a knowledgeable collector herself, eventually building one of the premier private art collections in the country.

With her help, Lasker re-ordered his life and priorities. Together they shared a life centering on philanthropic work. They founded the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation which gives awards in the fields of medical research and public health administration.

Mary Lasker had a strong interest in the arts, civic beautification, reproductive planning, dress design, and health issues, specifically cancer and heart disease. She was actively involved with the promotion and development of national bodies dealing with cancer, heart disease, arthritis, mental health, neurological disease, and blindness. She was an able and effective Washington lobbyist and knew many statesmen, legislators, artists, and scientific pioneers.

Lasker was decorated as a Chevalier Officer of the French Legion of Honor and, in 1969, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

decades
of activity

1920-1930
1930-1940
1940-1950
1950-1960
1960-1970
1970-1980
1980-1990

website

http://www.laskerfoundation.org

updated

10/31/2024 13:33:17

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Archives/Repository	Collection Title	Collection Details
Columbia University Libraries Butler Library, 6th Fl. East,	Mary Lasker Papers, 1940-1993.	see details...
Columbia University Libraries Butler Library, 6th Fl. East,	Reminiscences of Mary Lasker: oral history, 1965.	see details...
Columbia University Libraries Butler Library, 6th Fl. East,	Reminiscences of Mary Lasker : oral history, 1982.	see details...
Columbia University Libraries Butler Library, 6th Fl. East,	Reminiscences of Mary Lasker	see details...
Harvard Art Museum Archives 32 Quincy Street	Paul J. Sachs Papers, 1903-2005.	see details...