The Life of James Loeb
James Loeb’s life journey took him from New York and Harvard, through the world of international finance to Munich, and finally to Murnau. The successful banker became a passionate collector, humanist, and patron who dedicated his fortune to the advancement of science, culture, and society. The key milestones of his life illustrate how his personal interests and convictions contributed to his indelible legacy.
1867
James Loeb was born on August 6th in New York City, the son of Solomon Loeb and Betty Loeb (née Gallenberg).
1884–1888
As a student at Harvard University, in addition to other subjects, he is deeply engaged in the study of classical antiquity.
1888
After graduating from Harvard, he joins the banking firm Kuhn, Loeb & Co. – which his father, Solomon Loeb, had helped establish.
1890s
He works as a banker in New York. At the same time, his interests in music, art, literature, and classical antiquity grew.
1901/1902
Loeb retires from active banking. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life – one in which he is increasingly devoting himself to his cultural, academic, and social interests.
1902
He moves to Munich. There, Loeb became involved in the city’s cultural and academic life.
from 1902
He works intensively to build up his significant collection of antiquities. The archaeologist Adolf Furtwängler became an important scholarly advisor and friend.
1905
Loeb settles permanently in Europe and lives primarily in Munich.
from 1907
Stays in Murnau and Hochried. The landscape and cultural environment of the Blaues Land became an important part of his life.
1908
Following the death of Adolf Furtwängler, Loeb acquires his Munich home as well as parts of his scholarly library and estate.
1909
The Maximiliansanstalt for the Mentally Ill is founded in Munich, with Loeb providing significant financial support for its establishment. This institution later evolved into the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry.
1911
The Loeb Classical Library is founded. Greek and Latin classics are published in the original language with an English translation on the facing page.
Construction of his country house in Hochried near Murnau, which increasingly becomes the center of his life.
from 1912
Loeb lives primarily in Hochried, where he devotes his time to his collection, his scholarly interests, and numerous philanthropic projects.
1912
The first volumes of the Loeb Classical Library are published. The series goes on to become Loeb’s most significant international educational project.
1913
Loeb donates a significant portion of his collection of antiquities to the State Collection of Antiquities in Munich. Further donations follow.
1914–1918
During World War I, Loeb was actively involved in humanitarian and social causes. As an American with German roots, he experiences the war as a personal ordeal.
1917
In the Times Literary Supplement, Virginia Woolf praises the Loeb Classical Library as a “gift of freedom.”
1920s
Continuing his extensive philanthropic work in Germany and the United States, Loeb supports scientific, social, medical, and cultural institutions.
1925
Marriage to Marie Antonie Hambuechen.
1920s – 1930s
Hochried becomes the center of Loeb’s secluded life, in which he remains very active both intellectually and socially.
1933
James Loeb dies on May 27, 1933, in Murnau. He was buried in Hochried alongside his wife, Marie Antonie.
from 1933
His legacy lives on. In accordance with the provisions of his will, the Loeb Classical Library is bequeathed to Harvard University.
1934
Harvard University assumes responsibility for the continued publication and development of the Loeb Classical Library.
Today
The Loeb Classical Library, his support of scholarship and medicine, his collection of antiquities, and his work in Munich and Murnau preserve James Loeb’s legacy.