biography of irving b. harris

Irving B. Harris, a corporate leader and noted philanthropist, is also noted for developing programs which address the comprehensive needs of infants, toddlers and their families, and promoting training for professionals who work with this population. He was instrumental in conceptualizing and establishing such well-respected institutions as the Erikson Institute and the Ounce of Prevention Fund, as well as the highly ambitious Beethoven Project, which have served as models for the development of training and service programs across the country, including 500 Early Head Start programs in the United States. Mr. Harris also endowed the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago. During his lifetime, his vision and leadership earned him appointments to the National Commission on Children and the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Task Force on Meeting the Needs of Young Children. Mr. Harris passed away in September 2004. He was 94 years old.

Occupation/Employment: Businessman; Chairman of the Board of The Irving Harris Foundation and Director of the Acorn Fund (formerly Chairman of the Board from 1970-2001). Until its sale to Honeywell in 2001, he was Chairman of the Executive Committee of Pittway Corporation. He was also Chairman of William Harris Investors, Inc. from 1986-2001. He was for 10 years Chairman and President of Channel 11 and before that was Chairman of Harriscope Broadcasting, which owned an equity interest in Channel 44 in Chicago.

Affiliations: Founder and Board Member of the Ounce of Prevention Fund and the Erikson Institute; Board Member of Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families; Life Trustee of the University of Chicago.