Alexander Sturm
Alexander Sturm | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 23, 1923 Westport, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 1951 (aged 28) Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation(s) | artist, author, entrepreneur |
| Employer | Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| Spouse(s) | Paulina Longworth (m. 1944–1951; his death) |
| Children | Joanna Sturm |
| Parent(s) | Justin Sturm Katherine McCormick |
Alexander McCormick Sturm (June 23, 1923 – November 16, 1951) was an American artist, author, and entrepreneur who co-founded in 1949 the American guns maker Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Early life and career
[change | change source]Sturm was born in Westport, Connecticut, to sculptor, author and Yale football star Justin Sturm and Katherine "Kit" McCormick. He had one younger brother, Justin Jr., known as "Dusty".[1] Kit's brother Alexander Agnew McCormick Jr. was a World War I officer and pilot.[2][3]
As a writer and artist, he was known for his two illustrated children's books—The Problem Fox, and From Ambush to Zig-zag. A reviewer for The New York Times described The Problem Fox as "marvellous", and "a little masterpiece."[4] Although Sturm preferred to stay indoors, he was an accomplished polo player.[5]
Sturm, Ruger & Co.
[change | change source]He is best known today for his co-founding of Sturm, Ruger & Co. in 1949 prompted by his interest in guns and his friendship with William Ruger. Ruger provided the technical know-how as a gunsmith, and business acumen; Sturm provided the company logo and all of the financial backing for starting the business.
Marriage
[change | change source]During World War II, Sturm was an officer in the Office of Strategic Services[6] in Washington D.C. While in D.C., he met Paulina Longworth.[7] Sturm and Longworth married in 1944 and had a daughter.[8] The couple lived in Sturm's home in Westport.[3]
Death
[change | change source]Sturm became ill in 1951 with viral hepatitis and died after a ten-day stay in the hospital. He was 28 years old. The Sturm, Ruger trademark, which had been a red eagle, was changed to a black eagle by his friend Bill Ruger to mourn the death of his business partner.[9]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Felsenthal, Carol (2003). Princess Alice: The Life and Times of Alice Roosevelt Longworth. Macmillan.
- ↑ "Miss McCormick and Justin Sturm Will Be Wed on June 24," Chicago Daily Tribune, June 14, 1922; "Chicago Flier Dies in Battle, Another in Fall," Chicago Daily Tribune, October 1, 1918.
- 1 2 "Justin Sturm, Sculptor and Author, Dies," Chicago Tribune, August 8, 1967.
- ↑ Wilson (2008), p. 38.
- ↑ Wilson (2008), p. 22.
- ↑ Wilson, R.L. (2008). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company & Their Firearms. p. 23. ISBN 978-0785821038.
- ↑ Yardley, Jonathan (October 21, 2007). "A Roosevelt who married one politician and bore another's child". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ↑ Wilson, R.L. (2008). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company & Their Firearms. p. 24. ISBN 978-0785821038.
- ↑ "Bill Ruger of Brooklyn". NY Press. August 6, 2002.
