Nathan S. Ancell
Encyclopedia
Nathan S. Ancell co-founded the Ethan Allen
furniture company with his brother-in-law, Theodore Baumritter, in the 1930s. Together, the two men pioneered the concept of selling furniture in room-style settings and built the Ethan Allen company. Today, Ethan Allen has sales of nearly $1 billion.
in New York City
, New York
.
The family sold the Ethan Allen company to Interco in 1980. Ancell continued as manager and later as an advisor until the company was sold again in 1989.
, who named the Ancell School of Business
after him following his donation of $900,000. Afterward, he taught ethics and marketing at the school.
Ancell served on the board of Brandeis University
for 25 years. He funded a chair in physics and a fellowship in physics, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate
in 1990 and the Distinguished Community Service Award in 1988.
He established the Florence and Theodore Baumritter Chair in Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
. He was also a benefactor and received an honorary degree.
Ancell also served as co-chair of the UJA-Federation
Board of Directors.
Ethan Allen (furniture company)
Ethan Allen Global, Inc. is a North American furniture chain with almost 300 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1932 by two brothers-in-law, Nathan S...
furniture company with his brother-in-law, Theodore Baumritter, in the 1930s. Together, the two men pioneered the concept of selling furniture in room-style settings and built the Ethan Allen company. Today, Ethan Allen has sales of nearly $1 billion.
Early life
Born Nathan Ancelewitz, Nathan S. "Nat" Ancell grew up in New York. In 1932, he and his brother-in-law started a small housewares company. The two bought a bankrupt furniture manufacturer in Beecher Falls, Vt a few years later. Ancell attended Columbia CollegeColumbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Business Practices
Ancell was known as the father of the gallery concept, where furniture was placed in real-life settings in furniture stores. The company vision statement illustrates his viewpoint in how to conduct business: "To promote dreams not just furniture-to help consumers have the attractive homes they want, regardless of the station in life."The family sold the Ethan Allen company to Interco in 1980. Ancell continued as manager and later as an advisor until the company was sold again in 1989.
Philanthropic works
In 1982, he was honored by Western Connecticut State UniversityWestern Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University is a public university in Danbury, Connecticut. Founded in 1903, WestConn has an arts and sciences curriculum, a business school, and several professional programs including elementary and secondary education, nursing, music performance, and social work...
, who named the Ancell School of Business
Ancell School of Business
The Ancell school of business is the business school at Western Connecticut State University.Nathan S. Ancell, a major benefactor of the university and president of Ethan Allen, was honored with his name in memorial...
after him following his donation of $900,000. Afterward, he taught ethics and marketing at the school.
Ancell served on the board of Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
for 25 years. He funded a chair in physics and a fellowship in physics, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in 1990 and the Distinguished Community Service Award in 1988.
He established the Florence and Theodore Baumritter Chair in Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
. He was also a benefactor and received an honorary degree.
Ancell also served as co-chair of the UJA-Federation
United Jewish Communities
The Jewish Federations of North America , is an American Jewish umbrella organization representing 157 Jewish Federations and the Network of Independent Communities, 400 smaller Jewish communities across North America. The JFNA was formed from the 1999 merger of the United Jewish Appeal, the...
Board of Directors.