| (1885
- 1956) |
| Inducted: |
1976 |
| Region: |
Northeast |
| Industry: |
Finance
|
|
Charles E. Merrill worked for a newspaper and played professional baseball before he discovered Wall Street in 1909. By 1915, the firm of Merrill Lynch was a brisk investment-banking and brokerage business. In subsequent years, it handled the underwriting for at least 25 retail chains. Merrill also was a leader in bringing the brokering world to average Americans. He defied his peers in the brokerage business with his belief that millions of Americans would buy stocks. In 1928, his firm sent all its customers a letter urging them to reduce their holdings—good advice. |
