Elmer Holmes Bobst

Elmer Holmes Bobst (1884–1978) was born in Clear Spring, Maryland. He aspired to become a doctor, but instead, he taught himself pharmacology. He became manager and treasurer of the Hoffman-LaRoche Chemical Works by 1920.

In 1928, Hoffman-LaRoche became Roche-Nutley, and when Bobst retired from there 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 Eisenhower, but was also a close friend of President Nixon, helped guide his career and contributed generously to his campaigns. In 1968, Bobst became a White House advisor on health issues. Philanthropic pursuits were also of tremendous importance, particularly cancer research and education.

In 1988 Mrs. Mamdouha Bobst donated the records and personal effects of her late husband, Elmer Holmes Bobst to the Fales Library at NYU.

Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
Elmer H. Bobst gifted six million dollars towards the completion and opening of NYU's Bobst Library. Opened on September 12, 1973, Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, often referred to as Bobst Library, is the main library at New York University. Located at the Southeast corner of Washington Square Park, it is named after its benefactor. Bobst was a long time trustee at NYU.