Augustus D. Juilliard

[2] The son of immigrants from the Burgundy region of France, Juilliard was born at sea while his parents were en route to the United States.

[3] In 1866, Juilliard moved to New York City, where he worked in the garment industry for a textile manufacturing company that produced worsted fabrics.

Juilliard made bequests to hospitals, museums and other charitable causes, but the vast majority of his estate, $5 million (equivalent to $87,900,000 in 2023), was designated for the advancement of music in the United States.

In 1924, the Foundation's funds were used by its Trustees to establish the Juilliard Graduate School to assist excelling students with an advanced music education.

This music academy was established in 1905 by Dr. Frank Damrosch (godson of Franz Liszt) and was dedicated to providing a teaching level equaling that of the European conservatories.