The Papers of "Mr. Long Island" Come Home to Long Island University
Archives of Legendary Banker Arthur T. Roth Trace His Groundbreaking Career
The papers and memorabilia which trace the groundbreaking career of innovative Long Island banker Arthur T. Roth - credited with introducing the bank credit card and drive up teller window - have been donated to Long Island University by his son, Donald Roth, a 1964 graduate of the LIU Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville. The Roth Papers, now housed in the Campus's Center for Business Research, are the first installment of a collection of primary sources documenting prominent Long Island business leaders and institutions.
Fondly known as "Mr. Long Island", Arthur Roth played a key role in the development of Long Island banking from 1926 through the 1970's. By challenging traditional banking practices and creating new services, Roth turned the floundering Franklin Square National Bank into the 18th largest bank in the nation. Above all, he placed his confidence in the consumer and his energy into consumer needs. Among his countless changes, Roth made loans and mortgages readily accessible and banks more user friendly. In the course of building the bank, Roth financed the homes and businesses that built Long Island.
With the same spirit, Roth made innovations that have changed today's workplace. He pioneered smoking bans as early as the 1950's, encouraged the hiring of handicapped personnel, and worked diligently for community, educational and cultural causes, including service as a Trustee of Long Island University from 1954 to 1976. Despite his diligence and commitment, Roth was forced out of Franklin Square National Bank in the late '60's, and shortly thereafter, it collapsed, nearly causing a worldwide fiasco. The bank was taken over by European American Bank.
Arthur Roth died in 1997, at the age of 91, but his legacy continues. The building which houses LIU Post's College of Management bears his name, and his impact can be explored by researchers and studied by students for many generations through personal archive of papers, journals, and memories.
Arthur Roth's papers are now a part of the permanent collection of the B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Library at the LIU Post Campus of Long Island University. The campus is located on Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, New York. For more information about this collection, call (516) 299-2985 or email emezick@liu.edu.
Box List of Papers Noted During Transfer
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Access to the Papers of Arthur T. Roth is by appointment. Please contact:
Elizabeth M. Mezick
Associate Professor
B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Library
LIU Post / Long Island University
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548-1300
Phone: 516-299-2985
Fax: 516-299-4170
E-mail: emezick@liu.edu
Archives and Special Collections is located on the second floor of the LIU Post Library.
Rooms: 345-346
Heather Hesse - Special Collections Assistant
Archives and Special Collections
516/299-2880
Heather.Hesse@liu.edu
Hours: 9:00-5:00, Monday-Friday