Braude, Michael, 1909-1986

Michael Braude (1909-1986) was a successful businessman. He emigrated to the United States from Lithuania when he was 11. After World War II, he founded the Emkemkey car leasing company which became one the country’s largest fleet leasors. In 1959 he founded Quadrangle Books in Chicago and sold it to New York Times in 1969. His wealth allowed him to become principal benefactor of the University of Chicago’s Cort Theatre and the Hebrew University’s drama center in Jerusalem. He also sponsored poetry readings at his East Hampton, Long Island home.

Despite his entreprenuerial success Braude always regarded himself as a writer. He wrote five books of verse: Question of Identity ; Who’s Zoo ; Butcher, Baker, Epigram Maker ; Village Vignettes ; and My 187th Birthday . He wrote a television screenplay, Gettysburg, for public television as well as an autobiography, The First 30 Odd Years, which was published in 1976. The American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters gave the first Michael Braude Award for light verse in 1989.