Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) made enormous contributions to African American education, rural education, and many aspects of American life. Even so, he remains a little known figure to many. To a large extent, his impact was the result of an ability to build and maintain effective partnerships. This brief history summarizes Rosenwald's thoughts on philanthropy and it reviews some of his major contributions to American life. However, it focuses on the social, cultural, and economic circumstances that influenced Rosenwald's development.