Date of birth: 21 March 1897
Date of death: 11 August 1967
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Sylvan H. Gotshal was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on 21 March 1897 to Leopold and Julia (Hirschman) Gottschall. Sylvan's mother died when he was about twelve years of age. This prompted a move to Columbus, Mississippi, where he lived with relatives ~ and where he graduated from Franklin High School in 1913. Sylvan attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1917. The graduation program indicated that he earned three honors: Magna Cum Laude, Founder's Medal for Oratory, as well as Phi Beta Kappa. During World War I, he volunteered to serve in the Army. Sylvan was ordered to Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he was a member of the 1st Battalion, Central Officers' Training School. He earned a commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry in August, 1918; he saw no combat action, but qualified for the WWI Victory Medal. On 03 September 1918, Sylvan married Miss Violet Kleeman of Nashville; their union produced one daughter, Sue Ann, who married John L. Weinberg of Scarsdale, New York, in 1952.

After earning a Master of Arts at Vanderbilt, Sylvan completed studies for his law degree at Columbia University in New York City and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1920. In 1931, he became a founding partner of Weil, Gotshal, & Manges ~ and subsequently authored four books on textiles-related subjects. Sylvan became very active in civic affairs and was, at one time, chairman of the American Arbitration Association and the United Jewish Appeal. For his "behind-the-scenes" actions during and after World War II, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor (Officer), the Vatican's Saint Sylvester Medal (Knight), the Italian Star of Solidarity (Second Class), and the Israeli Award of Merit. He died (of a heart attack) at his home in Scarsdale, New York, on 11 August 1967.

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