Background
First, Joseph Michael was born on April 1, 1906 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Louis and Sarah (Selig) First.
legal and management consultant
First, Joseph Michael was born on April 1, 1906 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Louis and Sarah (Selig) First.
Bachelor of Science in Economics cum laude, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1927; Juris Doctor cum laude, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1930; Master of Laws (Gowen fellow 1930-1932), Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1932; Doctor of Laws (honorary), Temple University, 1980.
Vice president, general counsel, Triangle Publs., Inc., 1940-1975; vice president, general counsel, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1940-1975; also director, Triangle Publs., Inc. vice president, Triangle Finance, Inc., 1970-1975; also director, Triangle Finance, Inc. legal, management consultant, Triangle Publs., 1975-1984.
First president, honorary chairman board directors Albert Einstein Medical Center, 1951-1955. Board directors, life trustee emeritus director Albert Einstein Health Care Foundation, honorary chairman. Vice president, secretary Annenberg School Communications, 1958-1980, honorary trustee, 1980-1995.
Vice president, secretary Master of Laws Annenberg Foundation, 1944-1984. Secretary, treasurer Annenberg Fund, Inc., 1951-1984. Board directors Merion Civic Association, 1951-1977, Federation Jewish Philanthropies Philadelphia, 1950-1980.
Honorary life trustee Federal Jewish Philanthropies Philadelphia 1980-1995. Trustee Temple University, 1966-1980, honorary life trustee, also member executive committee, member educational policies committee, 1968-1980. Trustee Dropsie College, 1950-1953.
Associate trustee University Pennsylvania, 1968. Honorary trustee Akiba Hebrew Academy. Member Brandeis Lawyers Society, American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association (editor quarterly 1941-1968, emeritus editor 1968-1995, chairman publications committee 1960-1967, Distinguished Service award 1961, special citation 1968), Philadelphia Bar Association, Jewish Publication Society (president 1966-1969, honorary president 1970-1995), Order of Coif.
Married Helen Gross, December 27, 1931. Children: Elsa, Abigail First Farber, Jonathan.