Background
Lewis, Sydney was born on October 24, 1919 in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Son of Julius Beryl and Dora (Lewis) Lewis.
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Sydney Lewis
Edit Profilephilanthropist Virginia businessman
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Washington and Lee University, 1940; postgraduate in law, Washington and Lee University, 1940-1942; postgraduate business administration, Harvard, 1942-1943; in law, George Washington University, 1946; Doctor of Humanities, Virginia Commonwealth U., 1983; honorary patron of arts degree, Virginia Museum Fine Arts.
Career
Lewis himself held his Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Lee (1940), and though he began the study of law, never received a law degree from Washington and Lee University as his legal education was interrupted by World World War World War II Subsequently he finished his Juris Doctor degree at George Washington University in Washington District of Columbia. He practiced law for a brief period prior to entering his father"s business, eventually to become Best Products Company, Incorporated.
Achievements
Membership
President Richmond Jewish Community Council, since 1953, Virginia Museum, since 1986. Trustee Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, Virginia Union University, Richmond. Trustee Hirshorn Museum, Washington, since 1976, chairman, 1985, president, since 1985.
Trustee Institute Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, since 1975, School Visual Arts, Boston University, since 1976, Virginia Environmental Endowment Fund, Virginia Foundation for Humanities and Public Policy, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Hirshorn Museum, since 1985, Brooklyn Academy Music, New York, since 1985. Member board associates University Richmond. Trustee Virginia Museum Fine Arts, since 1980, president, since 1986.
Trustee Council of National Gallery Art, Washington, 1983. Board directors Jobs for Virginia Graduates, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1985. Member of Lakeside Country.
Connections
Married Frances Aaronson, September 3, 1942. Children: Sydney Junior, Andrew Marc, Susan (Mistress Dixon Butler).
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Born
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Died
March 12, 1999 (aged 79) -
Nationality
United States
Education
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1940
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1942
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1943
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1946
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1983
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Awards
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Recipient Distinguished Virginian award, 1972, national honoree award Beta Gamma Sigma, 1976, annual award Federated Arts Council of Richmond, 1976, Jackson Davis award for distinguished service to higher education in Virginia, 1978, Thomas Jefferson award for public service, 1978, Retailer of Year award Virginia Retail Merchants Association, 1982, Medal of Honor National Daughters of the American Revolution, 1983, Honorary Degree Doctor of Humanities, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1983, Governor's awards Arts of Virginia, 1985, Distinguished Retailers award Retail Merchants Association Greater Richmond, 1985, Architectural Medal for Virginia Service award Virginia Society American Institute of Architects, 1986, President's National Medal of Arts award, 1987, Skowhegan Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney award, 1990, William P. Robinson Senior Democratic award, 1989, Detocqueville Society Greater Richmon award, 1990, ABG Distinguished Service award, 1991, Virginia Cultural Laureate award, 1992, Bernard Glasser Memorial award Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. Named to Richmond Business Hall Fame, 1989.Recipient Distinguished Virginian award, 1972, national honoree award Beta Gamma Sigma, 1976, annual award Federated Arts Council of Richmond, 1976, Jackson Davis award for distinguished service to higher education in Virginia, 1978, Thomas Jefferson award for public service, 1978, Retailer of Year award Virginia Retail Merchants Association, 1982, Medal of Honor National Daughters of the American Revolution, 1983, Honorary Degree Doctor of Humanities, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1983, Governor's awards Arts of Virginia, 1985, Distinguished Retailers award Retail Merchants Association Greater Richmond, 1985, Architectural Medal for Virginia Service award Virginia Society American Institute of Architects, 1986, President's National Medal of Arts award, 1987, Skowhegan Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney award, 1990, William P. Robinson Senior Democratic award, 1989, Detocqueville Society Greater Richmon award, 1990, ABG Distinguished Service award, 1991, Virginia Cultural Laureate award, 1992, Bernard Glasser Memorial award Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. Named to Richmond Business Hall Fame, 1989.