Ewing Kauffman

Ewing Kauffman (September 21, 1916 – August 1, 1993) was an American businessman and philanthropist, best known for founding the pharmaceutical company Marion Laboratories, and owning the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Ewing Kauffman was born in a modest home in Garden City, Missouri. He was the only child of John S. Kauffman and Effie May Winders. His father was a farmer and his mother was a school teacher.

Career[edit | edit source]

In 1950, Kauffman started Marion Laboratories in the basement of his home with a $5,000 investment. The company started with a single product, a calcium supplement named Os-Cal. By 1989, Marion Laboratories had grown into a major pharmaceutical company with over $1 billion in sales.

In 1968, Kauffman purchased the expansion franchise that became the Kansas City Royals. He owned the team until his death in 1993. Under his ownership, the Royals won their first World Series in 1985.

Philanthropy[edit | edit source]

Kauffman was a generous philanthropist. In 1966, he established the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which supports education and entrepreneurship. The foundation has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including the Kauffman Scholars program and the Kauffman Stadium.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Kauffman's legacy continues through the work of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. His contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and Major League Baseball have had a lasting impact.