Horace Hagedorn
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Horace Hagedorn | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 18, 1915 |
| Died | January 31, 2005 (aged 89) Sands Point, New York, US |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation(s) | Advertising executive, businessman, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1936–1997 |
| Known for | Co-Founder of the Miracle-Gro brand |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 6 |
Horace Hagedorn (1915–2005[1]) was an advertising executive, businessman and philanthropist, who was co-founder of the Miracle-Gro brand, with Otto Stern. He eventually bought out the 50% interest held by Stern.
Horace Hagedorn was born on March 18, 1915, in Manhattan, New York. He obtained a degree from the University of Pennsylvania in business, later selling radio advertising.[1]
Miracle-Gro, a water-soluble fertilizer, was developed after Hagedorn met nurseryman Otto Stern and learned of Stern's troubles shipping plants in 1944.[1][2][3] The pair hired O. Wesley Davidson, a Rutgers University professor to develop the fertilizer.[1] Hagedorn used royalties from producing a crime-drama "The Big Story" to fund the company.[2] In 1950, the company was formed after his wife Peggy named the product.[1][4] He is largely credited with the success of the company due to the nature of his effective marketing – employing advertisements in differing medias and working with emerging hardware chains.[1] Hagedorn, however, credits being at the right place at the right time for the success of the company. In 1963, he became the company's first full time salesman.[2] In 1995, the company merged with Scotts for $200 million in stock, with Hagedorn as the majority investor. The merger created the world's largest maker of lawn and garden products.[1][5] He retired from Miracle-Gro in 1997.[6]
Prior to moving to Sands Point, New York, Hagedorn lived in Flower Hill, New York and Plandome Manor, New York.[7][8][9][10][11]
In later life, Hagedorn donated large sums of money to various charities, particularly those dealing with children.[1][12] In 2000, he gave $45 million to the Long Island Community Foundation, funded a cleft palate clinic at North Shore University Hospital, and underwrote the Miracle-Gro Kids program.[13]
