George Eastman: A Biography

by Elizabeth Brayer

Now back in print, this life of George Eastman is the first biography since 1930 of the man who transformed the world of photography. In this revealing and informative work, Brayer shows us how such key innovations as roll film and the light, hand-held camera helped the Eastman Kodak Company dominate the world market. More importantly, Brayer draws a vivid portrait of the man behind the money. Eastman worked hard at staying out of the limelight and even insisted that his donations be kept anonymous, prompting the Boston Globe to call him "America's most modest and least-known millionaire."

Despite his retirement in 1925, Eastman showed little sign of slowing down.Making money had been interesting, but putting money to work became more so. In the 1920s he designed a special camera for use in orthodontia and established elaborate dental clinics for needy children around the world. He oversaw the building of the Eastman theatre and the Eastman School of Music. His contributions built a new campus for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a new medical school for the University of Rochester. Finally, he becamethe largest contributor to the education of African Americans during the 1920s and the Tuskegee Institute's most important benefactor.

Elizabeth Brayer lives in Rochester, NY. For the past 18 years she has served on both the George Eastman Legacy and the Landscape committees at the George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography and Film. She writes about the history of central and Western New York State. George A Biography was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1996.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

702 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 1996

About the author

Elizabeth Bashore Brayer (1933-2017) wrote numerous works on the history, art and architecture of Rochester, New York. Her biography of George Eastman was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Obituary

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended for Rochesterians!! I think this should be required High School reading (ok, maybe an abridged version). This is a very detailed account of Eastman's fascinating life. Its long but I thought it read very well, and I was sad to come to the ending! I thought the most interesting parts were how he pursued his philanthropic pursuits - which he approached much like he did his business.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This man started Kodak and his philanthropic efforts made my hometown into a civic, educational, and cultural center that is surprisingly strong today.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were times when the information was way more than I needed but the author captured the time period, the sheer drive Eastman possessed, his business acumen, his passion for life, his devotion to family, and his spirit of philanthropic pursuits. Fascinating biography.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and very interesting book. Very well written and informative.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A monumental tome, but still fascinating. Incredible to think about how much he still influences our community.

[David VerLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about a brilliant, complicated and very generous man!

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book about Kodak's founder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting life! Pretty dense but very readable

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, very intereting so far