SACRED LEGACY ARCHIVES™

Armand Hammer

1898-01-01 – 1990-12-10

Armand Hammer in 1982, crop of another Commons fileCredit: FDR Presidential Library & Museum

Life & Legacy

Armand Hammer (May 21, 1898 – December 10, 1990) was an American oil tycoon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
The son of a Russian-born communist activist, Hammer trained as a physician before beginning his career in trade with the newly established Soviet Union. Having made his fortune in pharmaceuticals and whiskey, he nearly retired before coming into control of the then-failing Occidental Petroleum in 1956. He spent the next 33 years as chief executive officer and chairman of the company, overseeing its growth to become one of the largest companies in the US. Called "Lenin's chosen capitalist" by the press, he was also known for his art collection and his close ties to the Soviet Union.
Hammer's business interests around the world and his "citizen diplomacy" helped him cultivate a wide network of friends and associates.

Occupation & Career

art collector, businessperson, entrepreneur

Education

Columbia College; Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons; Morris High School

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

National Medal of Arts; Royal Order of the Polar Star; Great Silver Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria; Four Freedoms Award – Freedom from Fear; Order of Friendship of Peoples; Knight of the Legion of Honour; Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Order of the Crown; John Jay Award; honorary doctor of the Paul Cézanne University

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

Four Freedoms Award – Freedom from Fear · Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic · Great Silver Medal of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria · honorary doctor of the Paul Cézanne University · John Jay Award · Knight of the Legion of Honour · National Medal of Arts · Order of Friendship of Peoples · Order of the Crown · Royal Order of the Polar Star