Morton Baum (December 28, 1905 – February 7, 1968) was an American lawyer who devised the sales tax system in New York City.
[1][2] Baum was born on December 28, 1905, and grew up in Manhattan's Upper East Side between 72nd Street and Lexington Avenue.
From 1930 to 1933 he was an assistant United States Attorney and was elected a member of the New York City Board of Aldermen in 1934.
In 1943, he helped found the New York City Center and served as chairman of its finance committee.
He was also instrumental in helping to found the New York City Opera and the New York City Ballet by hiring the likes of Julius Rudel, George Balanchine, and Lincoln Kirstein.