Carl Icahn
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There’s Always One In The Spotlight
By MICHAEL REHAK
From the country’s first religious freedom fighters to today’s gangster rap superstars, an eclectic mix of world-renowned figures rose to stardom by way of Queens.
The trend began as far back as the first European settlers, when such figures as John Bowne and Francis Lewis set the stage by fighting for the Flushing Remonstrance and signing the Declaration of Independence, respectively.
As the nation’s history moved forward, legendary men and women continued to sprout throughout Queens, as artists, inventors, businessmen, political figures, astronauts and sports figures made a lasting impact on the entire world.
Mario Cuomo |
The Earliest Stars
A divide that grew over a small downtown Flushing house drew Bowne, one of the borough’s first famous figures, to protest New Amsterdam laws that prevented Quakers from religious worship. After being extradited and later tried before a Dutch court, Bowne won his case and returned to the colonies a free man, paving the way for our future First Amendment rights.
In his footsteps came Lewis, a wealthy British-born merchant, who contributed his efforts by declaring freedom for the colonies. Both Lewis, a Whitestone resident, and Bowne paved the way toward the birth of the United States.
In the 19th Century, as the borough’s population grew, so did the notoriety of its residents.
Walt Whitman , whose “Blades of Grass” became the starting point for modern day poetry, taught at a small schoolhouse where Queens College now stands. (A later project, the Long-Islander newspaper in Huntington, was recently purchased by the parent company of the Queens Tribune).
Paul Simon |
Conrad Poppenhusen , a rubber baron who made his fortune selling hard rubber
combs using the vulcanization process created by his good friend Charles Goodyear, was a popular man of his day. He founded the town of College Point, offered his workers the first known job-sponsored day care program and even created the first free kindergarten in the United States.
Other key figures during that era included Samuel Bowne Parsons, a descendant of John Bowne, who helped slaves successfully reach their freedom through the Underground Railroad; and Rufus King, a three-time Presidential candidate from 1804 to 1816, who was one of the youngest drafters of the U.S. Constitution and is buried not far from his King Manor home.
That’s Entertainment
Charlie Chaplin |
In the 20th Century, efforts soon shifted away from establishing our nation as the “home of the free,” to more Renaissance type efforts. At the start of the 1900s, Lewis Latimer, a black scientist whose Flushing home is now landmarked, helped Thomas Edison perfect the incandescent light bulb.
As black performers moved north to come to Harlem, many of them settled in Queens, including such legends as Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong,Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington.
In 1923, Arthur Hammerstein, the famous theatrical producer of 26 Broadway shows, purchased waterfront property along the East River and married film star Dorothy Dalton. Harry Houdini, buried at the Machpelah Cemetery on Cypress Hills Street, also made his living putting crowds in awe through a brand of magic that had never been seen before. Some other big name Queens entertainers include Paul Simon, Tony Bennett, Burt Bacharach and Woody Guthrie, to name a few.
Sporting News
Along with the entertainment industry, early 20th Century Queens’ roots could be found in sports icons, who continue to flourish from the schools and playgrounds that sparked their careers.
“Gentleman” Jim Corbett redefined modern day boxing and kept residence in Bayside while Gertrude Ederle, a British woman who had won Olympic gold, and who was the first woman to swim across the English Channel in 1926, lived in Flushing.
Bob Beamon later added to the borough’s Olympic lore in 1968, by shattering the 23-year Olympic long jump record by nearly two feet. Basketball greats, such as Robert “Bobby” McDermott and Bob Cousy redefined the way the sport was played and St. John’s University produced its share of well-known sports figures.
Such New York Yankee legends as Edward “Whitey” Ford, “The Scooter” Phil Rizzuto, famed announcer Bob Shepphard and organist Eddie Layton all had their roots in Queens before settling in “The House that Ruth Built.”
Tony Bennett |
Business & Politics
It was also during the early to mid 20th Century where other industry heads gained more than just their Queens accents. Movers and shakers in the business field saw Frederick Trump, a land grabbing multi-millionaire spawn “The Donald,” who was born in Jamaica Estates. Michael Cullen founded America’s first supermarket on Jamaica Avenue in 1930 and Josephine Esther Menzer, better known as Estee Lauder, dominated the cosmetic industry.
Politics, which served as a driving force in Queens since John Bowne’s crusade, saw Geraldine Ferraro, a former Queens’ English schoolteacher and U.S. Rep., run on the Vice Presidential ticket in 1984. Nancy Reagan, Queens’ only First Lady, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Ralph Bunche and Queens College founder Charles Colden all lived in or hailed from Queens.
Adrien Brody |
Modern Fame
Now, in the 21st Century, one would be hard-pressed not to find a distinguished Queens-born citizen who continues to make the news pages, can be found on television or on the big screen or who contributes, in some way, to affect our everyday lives.
Business mogul Carl Icahn, David Neeleman and Russell Simmons continue to wield their power over their respective industries. Oscar-winner Adrien Brody and the many faces of Queens in Hollywood continue to make an impact on the silver screen.
So where are the next leaders in science, the next Nobel Prize winners? They already live here. Just give them time.
