Arthur L. Kramer
1880-1950
Arthur L. Kramer was born December 17, 1880 in Louisville, Kentucky to Maurice and Julia Kramer, who were of German-Jewish descent. He was the youngest of seven children. The family moved to Dallas in 1887. Arthur’s father, Maurice Kramer, was a magazine writer whose pen name was Remark, which is the name Kramer spelled backward.
The young Arthur showed an early interest in music, and while a student at U.T. Austin he helped organize the first University Student Band. This musical affinity was to surface repeatedly throughout his life as he helped organize the Temple Emanu-El choir, and later promoted opera and symphony in Dallas.
Upon his graduation from law school he joined Victor H. Hexter’s law firm, practicing law for about 10 years. In 1910 he married Camille Harris, the daughter of Adolph Harris, who had founded the A. Harris Department Stores. In 1912 Arthur Kramer, with no prior retail background, joined the A. Harris firm as Vice President. When Adolph Harris died in 1913, Arthur Kramer was elected president of the company, a position he held for 37 years, until his death.
Arthur L. Kramer successfully ran and promoted A. Harris & Company. At the same time he was very committed to major civic and cultural projects, as founder and/or president of many significant Dallas institutions. He played a major role in keeping the Symphony alive, being referred to as “Father of the Dallas Symphony Society”. He was personally responsible for bringing the Metropolitan Opera to Dallas in 1939, a feat he had tried to accomplish since 1930. As a result the Metropolitan Opera continued to come to Dallas for an annual sold-out performance for nearly 30 years. He subsequently formed the Dallas Grand Opera Association, whose members guaranteed financial backing for the opera productions.
One might also call Arthur L. Kramer “presidential”. He served as President of the following organizations: Temple Emanu-El, 1922 – 1926; Dallas Symphony Association, 1925-1939; Dallas Art Association 1929 – 1941; Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 1930.
Arthur L. Kramer served on the Dallas School Board from 1911 – 1912. He died February 19, 1950. Arthur Kramer Elementary School named in his honor, opened in 1956.
Compiled by Sherry Zander
Sources for this article:
- A Light In The Prairie by Gerry Cristol 1998
- Pioneer Jewish Texans by Natalie Ornish 1989
- They Came To Stay by Rose Biderman 2002
