Background
Lomb was born in Burghaun, Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel), Germany.
Lomb was born in Burghaun, Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel), Germany.
The forerunner of Rochester Institute of Technology. He emigrated to the United States in 1849 and settled in Rochester, New York, where he worked as a cabinet-maker. The business did grow and together they formed the Bausch & Lomb Company.
Lomb enlisted in the New York State Volunteers and fought in the American Civil War as sergeant, lieutenant and captain.
When the war ended, he left the military and returned to the company. In 1885, Lomb, along with Max Lowenthal, Ezra R. Andrews, Frank Ritter, William F. Peck and others, founded the Mechanics Institute (now Rochester Institute of Technology), whose mission was to offer "education for making a living." Lomb served as chairman of the Institute Board until 1891, and continued to be a strong supporter of the school until his death.
Henry Lomb died suddenly in Pittsford, New York at the age of 79. He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.
The following have been named in Henry Lomb"s honor:
World World War II Liberty Ship Steamship Henry Lomb, hull number 1784
Henry Lomb School, elementary school #20 in Rochester, New York
Lomb Memorial Drive and the Bausch & Lomb Center, both on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology.