Benedict Gimbel
Benedict Gimbel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Benedict Gimbel Jr. 1899 |
| Died | February 6, 1971 (age 71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Ethel S. Nathanson (divorced) Sally Phipps (divorced) J. Jessie Kane |
| Children | Ted Nathanson |
| Parent(s) | Birdie Loeb Gimbel Benedict Gimbel Sr. |
| Family | Adam Gimbel (grandfather) Bernard Gimbel (cousin) Richard Gimbel (cousin) Michael Nathanson (grandson) |
Benedict Gimbel Jr. (1899 – February 6, 1971) was an American businessman, department store executive, and founder of one of the first radio stations in Philadelphia.
Biography
Benedict Gimbel Jr. was born to a Jewish family in Philadelphia, the son of Birdie (née Loeb) and Benedict Gimbel Sr.[1][2] His grandfather was Adam Gimbel of the Gimbel Brothers retailing family.[2] His father worked as an executive at the family business and killed himself in Hoboken in 1907 despondent after being charged with a serious crime.[3] Gimbel attended public schools in Philadelphia as well as the Thorpe School in Stamford, Connecticut and the boys’ boarding school La Villa in Ouchy, Switzerland.[4] He attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania but left during his sophomore year to join the U.S. Army during World War I where he reached the rank of sergeant.[4] He finished his studies when he returned and then went to work for the family business in Philadelphia.[4] In 1921, he resigned as vice president and board member of Gimbels Brothers to serve as the first president and manager of WIP radio, one of the first radio stations in Philadelphia.[4][5][6] The station started broadcasting on March 17, 1922 from its studio above the Gimbels department store in Philadelphia.[5] In 1931, WIP purchased WFAN and consolidated all broadcasting at the WIP studios.[5] In 1932, the station was transferred to the newly formed company, the Pennsylvania Broadcasting Company, as it was fully profitable on its own,[5] In 1958, Gimbel put together an investor group (including Bob Hope) and purchased WIP from Gimbels for $2,500,000.[4] In 1960, John W. Kluge's Metromedia bought WIP for $4.500,000; Gimbel remained as a vice president.[6]
Personal life
Gimbel was married thrice. His first marriage was to Ethel S. (née Nathanson) with whom he had a son, Edward "Ted" Nathanson (his son took his mother's maiden name after his parents divorced).[7][8] In 1931, he married actress Sally Phipps; they divorced in 1935.[9] His third wife was J. Jessie Kane.[8] Gimbel died on February 6, 1971.[7]
References
- ^ "Benedict Gimbel & Birdie Loeb Wedding". The Times (Philadelphia). June 22, 1897.
- ^ a b Harris, Leon. Merchant Prince: An Intimate History of Jewish Families Who Built Great Department Stores. pp. 69–90.
- ^ "Benedict Gimbel Dies at Hoboken, Self Inflicted Wounds Prove Fatal". Los Angeles Herald, Volume 34, Number 204. 23 April 1907.
- ^ a b c d e "Benedict Gimbel, Jr". Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. 1959. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
- ^ a b c d "History of Philadelphia radio station 610 WTEL (Beasley Broadcast Group)". Philadelphia Radio Archives.
- ^ a b "Benedict Gimbel Jr., 71, Dies; Had Owned Radio Station WIP". The New York Times. February 6, 1971.
- ^ a b Sandomir, Richard (June 7, 1997). "Ted Nathanson, 72, Director Of NBC Sports and News Shows". New York Times.
- ^ a b "Edward Nathanson". Variety. June 12, 1997.
- ^ Diliberto, Gioia (February 24, 2008). "The Flapper Doesn't Change Her Spots". New York Times.