This isn't a person, but rather a merged company of a result of many merged companies. In short, Shearson started as an investment banking and retail brokerage firm starting in 1902. The name came from the founder, Edward Shearson. In 1981, Shearson was acquired by American Express and would later be merged with Lehman Brothers, which thus the name Shearson Lehman came to be. They were known for their hedge fund investments and aggressive stock market plays.