Leidesdorff, William Alexander Jr.
1810-1848 · Contribution: 1841-1848
Built America's first Black-owned business empire in Gold Rush-era San Francisco — the city's first hotel, first public school, first commercial warehouse, and first steamship on San Francisco Bay — becoming the first known Black millionaire in United States history
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Quick facts
- Category
- Business & Misc.
Impact on the world
Leidesdorff built the commercial and civic scaffolding of San Francisco before the Gold Rush, its first hotel, warehouse, steamship, school, and treasury, shaping the city at its very origin.
Sources
- BlackPast.org
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