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Calvin G. Rand

Death: 2016

Calvin Rand, a philanthropist and patron of the arts, was born on May 15, 1929, in Buffalo, New York.  He was the grandson of the founder of the Marine Trust Co., which became Marine Midland Bank.  Rand graduated from the Nichols School in 1947 and Princeton University in 1951.  After earning his M.A. in philosophy at Columbia University, Rand became a professor of philosophy at the University at Buffalo, a position he would hold for many years.

Though Calvin Rand may have been best known as a co-founder of the Shaw Festival, he quietly donated to many cultural institutions, including the Irish Classical Theatre, Kleinhans Music Hall and the Burchfield Penny Art Center.  Rand's generous donations to the University at Buffalo include the Rand Chair, which helps foster connections between the Buffalo and Chinese business communities.  His many contributions to the university were recognized when he received the Walter S. Cooke Award for Meritorious Service to the University.

  • Sources:
    • Calvin G. Rand obituary.  Princeton Alumni Weekly, October 15, 2017.
    • "Shaw Festival founder, arts philanthropist Calvin Rand dies."  Buffalo News, January 6, 2017.

Affiliation(s): Philosophy, Art
Record Group(s): 22, 16
Biographical File Contains:
  • Obituary