Armand Hammer

Hammer in 1982, FDR Presidential Library & Museum

Date of Birth: May 25, 1898

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: December 10, 1990

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Armand Hammer was an American businessperson. He ran the company Occidental Petroleum, specializing in oil and gas, from 1957 until 1990, his death. His large art collection is exhibited at the Hammer Museum, an art museum and cultural center in Los Angeles.

Armand was the son of Rose (Lifschitz/Robinson) and Julius Hammer. His parents were Jewish emigrants from the Russian Empire. His father was born in Odessa.

Armand was married to Frances Barrett Tolman, until her death. He had a son with his former wife, Russian-born actress Olga Vadimovna Vadina-Rot. Armand’s great-grandson is actor Armie Hammer. A picture, c. 1989, of Armand together with his great-grandson Armie, can be seen here.

Armand was named after Armand Duval, a character in the book La Dame aux Camélias (The Lady of the Camellias), 1848, by Alexandre Dumas.

Armand’s paternal grandfather was named Jacob Hammer.

Armand’s paternal grandmother was named Victoria Slepack (the daughter of Isreal Slepack and Esther).

Sources: Armand Hammer on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Armand Hammer – http://articles.latimes.com