Adolphus Solomons

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Adolphus Simeon Solomons (October 26, 1826 – March 18, 1910) was a Jewish-American philanthropist who worked to help hospitals, charities, and the Red Cross.

Solomons was born in New York City to John Solomons and Julia Levy. His father ran a prominent newspaper. He studied at the University of the City of New York (now NYU) and worked for a wholesale stationery firm, eventually becoming its head bookkeeper.

As a teen, he joined the New York National Guard and served as a color guard for the Third Regiment Washington Greys, rising to sergeant before leaving the service in 1847. In 1851, Secretary of State Daniel Webster appointed him Special Bearer of Dispatches to Berlin. While abroad, he visited a Jewish ward in a Frankfurt hospital and was inspired to help establish such institutions in New York. After returning home, he helped raise funds for what would become Mount Sinai Hospital.

In 1859 Solomons moved to Washington, D.C., and started the printing house Philp and Solomons, which held government printing contracts for many years. In 1871 he became chairman of the ways and means committee of the District of Columbia House of Representatives. President Ulysses S. Grant offered him the governorship of the district, but he declined. He was a leading member of the local Jewish community and took part in every inauguration from Lincoln to Taft. The last portrait of Lincoln was taken in his shop.

Solomons helped establish the American Red Cross with Clara Barton in 1881 and served as second vice president for twelve years. He also held many roles in hospitals and Jewish charitable organizations, including leadership positions with the Baron de Hirsch Fund, Alliance Israélite Universelle, and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He was involved with the New York Protectory for Jewish Children, the Providential Aid Society, the Night Lodging House Association of the District of Columbia, the Sanitary Aid Society of New York, and other groups. In 1881, he represented America at the International Red Cross Convention in Geneva and served as its vice-president.

He was married to Rachel Seixas Phillips; she preceded him in death. Their daughter Rosalie married N. Taylor Phillips.

Solomons died at home on March 18, 1910, and was buried in the Spanish and Portuguese Cemetery in New York City.