page_title: Elmer Holmes Bobst
section_title: Early life and career
hierarchical_section_title: Elmer Holmes Bobst / Early life and career
caption_attribution_description: English: View of the inside of the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library of New York University Français&#160;: Vue de l'intérieur de la Elmer Holmes Bobst Library de l'Université de New York
context_page_description: Elmer Holmes Bobst was an American businessman and philanthropist who worked in the pharmaceutical industry.
context_section_description: Bobst was born in Lititz, Pennsylvania. He aspired to become a doctor, but instead, he taught himself pharmacology. After his wife Ethel composed his interview letter, he became manager and treasurer of the Hoffman-LaRoche Chemical Works by 1920. When Bobst retired from the company in 1944, he was one of the nation's highest paid corporate executives. In 1945 he took charge of the ailing William Warner Company (later Warner–Lambert) and he remained board chairman.
  Bobst had close connections to President Dwight Eisenhower, and was also a close friend of President Richard Nixon, contributing generously to their campaigns and helping to guide Nixon's career. The Nixons joined Bobst and his two granddaughters Anne and Stephanie for many visits to Spring Lake, New Jersey. In 1968, Bobst became a White House advisor on health issues. Philanthropic pursuits were also important to Bobst, particularly cancer research and education.
caption: A view of the interior of Bobst Library
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