Lewis A. Lapham
Encyclopedia
Lewis Abbot Lapham was an American shipping and banking executive.
Lapham was born in New York City
, the son of shipping executive and future Mayor of San Francisco
Roger D. Lapham and the grandson of Lewis Henry Lapham. Lapham attended the Hotchkiss School
and went on to Yale University
, graduating in 1931. At Yale, he was a member of Skull and Bones
.
Roger Lapham was a founder of the Cypress Point Club
golf course. In 1929, father and son played a foursome
there with Bobby Jones
and Francis Ouimet
. This attracted a large crowd and frayed the nerves of the 20 year old Lewis Lapham. After one successful shot by Lapham, Jones loudly asked which club
Lapham had used and continued to solicit his advice in front of the crowd until Lapham's confidence was restored.
Lapham worked as a journalist, columnist, and editor for the San Francisco Examiner for six years. In World War II
, he was civilian executive assistant to the general in command of the San Francisco Port of Embarkation. From 1945 to 1946 he was president of the Pacific American Steamship Association.
Lewis Henry Lapham was a founding investor of the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
in 1899 and Roger Lapham served as its president until he stepped down in 1944 to run for Mayor. Lewis Lapham became its last president in 1947. Miscalculating future shipping rates, the company bought six new ships, but soon losses forced them to suspend shipping in 1953. Billionaire Daniel Ludwig was brought in as an investor and Lapham resigned and his family sold their holdings to Ludwig, who gained control of the company and eventually liquidated it.
Lapham became executive vice president of the Grace Line and in 1955 became its president. He realized that J. Peter Grace
was determined to get W. R. Grace and Company
out of the shipping industry (Grace sold the Grace Line in 1969), so he left the company and the shipping business in 1959. He joined Bankers Trust Company and served in a variety of executive and board positions until 1981.
Lapham was married to Jane Foster for 63 years. They had two sons, Lewis H. Lapham
, long-time editor of Harper's Magazine
, and Anthony A. Lapham, a lawyer for the Central Intelligence Agency
.
Lapham was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the son of shipping executive and future Mayor of San Francisco
Mayor of San Francisco
The Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the executive branch of San Francisco's city and county government. The mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch....
Roger D. Lapham and the grandson of Lewis Henry Lapham. Lapham attended the Hotchkiss School
Hotchkiss School
The Hotchkiss School is an independent, coeducational American college preparatory boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut. Founded in 1891, the school enrolls students in grades 9 through 12 and a small number of postgraduates...
and went on to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, graduating in 1931. At Yale, he was a member of Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is a traditional peer society to Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head, as the three senior class 'landed societies' at Yale....
.
Roger Lapham was a founder of the Cypress Point Club
Cypress Point Club
Cypress Point Club is a private golf club in California. The club has a single eighteen hole course, one of eight on the Monterey peninsula near Monterey, California. The course is well known around the world for its series of three holes that play along the Pacific Ocean: the 15th, 16th and 17th,...
golf course. In 1929, father and son played a foursome
Foursome (golf)
A foursome, also known as alternate shot, is a type of match in the sport of golf.Golfers compete in teams of two, using one ball, and taking alternate shots until the hole is completed. Team members also take turns in teeing off on each hole, i.e...
there with Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones (golfer)
Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level...
and Francis Ouimet
Francis Ouimet
Francis DeSales Ouimet was an American golfer, who is frequently referred to as the "father of amateur golf" in the United States. He won the 1913 U.S. Open, and was the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews...
. This attracted a large crowd and frayed the nerves of the 20 year old Lewis Lapham. After one successful shot by Lapham, Jones loudly asked which club
Golf club (equipment)
A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...
Lapham had used and continued to solicit his advice in front of the crowd until Lapham's confidence was restored.
Lapham worked as a journalist, columnist, and editor for the San Francisco Examiner for six years. In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was civilian executive assistant to the general in command of the San Francisco Port of Embarkation. From 1945 to 1946 he was president of the Pacific American Steamship Association.
Lewis Henry Lapham was a founding investor of the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
The American-Hawaiian Steamship Company was founded in 1899 to carry cargos of sugar from Hawaii to the United States and manufactured goods on return trips...
in 1899 and Roger Lapham served as its president until he stepped down in 1944 to run for Mayor. Lewis Lapham became its last president in 1947. Miscalculating future shipping rates, the company bought six new ships, but soon losses forced them to suspend shipping in 1953. Billionaire Daniel Ludwig was brought in as an investor and Lapham resigned and his family sold their holdings to Ludwig, who gained control of the company and eventually liquidated it.
Lapham became executive vice president of the Grace Line and in 1955 became its president. He realized that J. Peter Grace
J. Peter Grace
Joseph Peter Grace was a multimillionaire American industrialist and conglomerateur of Irish Catholic heritage. He was president of the diversified chemical company, ' for 48 years, making him the longest reigning CEO of a public company.Born in Manhasset, New York, he succeeded his father, Joseph...
was determined to get W. R. Grace and Company
W. R. Grace and Company
W. R. Grace and Company is a Columbia, Maryland, United States based chemical conglomerate.The company has two main divisions, Davison Chemicals and Performance Chemicals. The Davison unit makes chemical catalysts, refining catalysts, and silica-based products that let other companies make...
out of the shipping industry (Grace sold the Grace Line in 1969), so he left the company and the shipping business in 1959. He joined Bankers Trust Company and served in a variety of executive and board positions until 1981.
Lapham was married to Jane Foster for 63 years. They had two sons, Lewis H. Lapham
Lewis H. Lapham
Lewis H. Lapham is an American writer. He was the editor of the American monthly Harper's Magazine from 1976 until 1981, and from 1983 until 2006. He also is the founder of the eponymous publication about history and literature entitled Lapham's Quarterly. He has written numerous books on...
, long-time editor of Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
, and Anthony A. Lapham, a lawyer for the Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
.