Augustus D. Juilliard (April 19, 1836 - April 25, 1919) was an American businessman whose philanthropy built the renowned conservatory of dance, music, and theatre in New York City that bears his name. April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... New York City, officially named the City of New York, is the most populous city in the United States, the most densely populated major city in North America, and is the largest financial center in the world. ...

Augustus D. Juilliard, Juilliard founder, was born at sea April 19, 1836 during his parent's three month voyage from France to America. Augustus Juilliard's father, Jean Nicolas Juilliard, was a shoemaker and both Jean Nicolas Juilliard and his wife, Anna (Burlette) Juilliard were Huguenots, or Protestants, from Burgundy. The Juilliard family emigrated to and settled in Ohio to work in the dry goods market. Augustus often traveled to New York on buying trips and impressed textile merchants with his fluent French.

In 1866, Juilliard settled in New York and worked for a manufacturing company of worsted fabrics. The company went bankrupt seven years later and in 1873 he created his own corporation, the Augustus D. Juilliard Company, in 1874 distributing textiles including wool, silk, and cotton. Augustus Juilliard became very wealthy through his business' success and remained the senior partner of his company until his death.

He was a very genial and charming man and has been described as "possessing outstanding executive ability, high character, unusually keen business sense and a forceful, commanding personality." He had an extremely wide range of interests including a love of music and was greatly sought for his sound judgment and advice. Augustus married Helen Marcelus Cositt in 1877, but they never had children. Together, Augustus and Helen built two houses in the city and he became a board member of the Metropolitan Opera, which he actively supported until his death. Juilliard loved the opera and was always expanding his knowledge by asking questions of trained musicians about opera.

Augustus D. Juilliard died on April 25, 1919 at the age of eighty-three and was interred in a mausoleum in [Woodlawn Cemetery]. On June 27, 1919, Juilliard's will was read and to the amazement of all, he had left millions in a bequest to set up a corporation that was to be known as the Juilliard Musical Foundation. Several million more were distributed to other recipients, but the primary beneficiary was Juilliard's nephew, Frederick Juilliard, who was also named one of three trustees of the Juilliard Musical Foundation (JMF). Augustus, however, had the great disadvantage of not being able to directly influence or specify how his money was to be used to run his own school. The JMF later joined with the Institute of Musical Art and formed the now world renowned performing arts institution, The Juilliard School.

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