Vartan Gregorian

Date of Birth: April 8, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 15, 2021

Biography

Vartan Gregorian was a distinguished educator and academic leader, renowned for his contributions to the field of education and philanthropy. Born in Tabriz, Iran, Gregorian moved to the United States to pursue higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in history and humanities from Stanford University in 1958, and a Ph.D. in history and humanities from Stanford in 1964. Gregorian’s career spanned several prestigious roles, including serving as the President of the New York Public Library from 1981 to 1989, where he revitalized the institution and significantly increased its endowment. He later became the President of Brown University from 1989 to 1997, and then the President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York from 1997 until his death in 2021. Throughout his career, Gregorian was a passionate advocate for education, literacy, and cultural preservation.

5 Interesting Facts about Vartan Gregorian

1. Vartan Gregorian was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian award, in 2004.

2. He authored several influential books, including “The Road to Home: My Life and Times” and “Islam: A Mosaic, Not a Monolith.”

3. Gregorian was instrumental in raising over $1 billion during his tenure at the New York Public Library.

4. He was a recipient of the National Humanities Medal in 1998.

5. Gregorian was fluent in multiple languages, including Armenian, Russian, Turkish, and English.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Vartan Gregorian

1. “Libraries keep the records on behalf of all humanity. The unique and the absurd, the wise and the fragments of stupidity.”

2. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

3. “A library is a place where you can lose your innocence without losing your virginity.”

4. “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.”

5. “Philanthropy is not about money. It’s about feeling the pain of others and caring enough about their needs to help.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Vartan Gregorian’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, largely attributed to his salary and earnings from his various leadership roles and book royalties.

Children

Vartan Gregorian had three sons: Vahé, Raffi, and Dareh Gregorian. Vahé is a sports columnist, Raffi works in international relations, and Dareh is a journalist.