Paul Harris: Father of Rotary International

Paul Harris was an American lawyer who became popularly known as the founder of the Rotary International, which is known worldwide as organization of service.

Harris was born on April 19, 1868 at Racine Wisconsin. He took odd jobs while studying at the University of Iowa – jobs like newspaper salesman, reporter, actor and cowboy. He lived in a neighborhood called Beverly in Chicago for good until he died in 1947.

In 1896, Harris began the practice of his law profession in Chicago. By 1905, he started his first Rotary Club fellowship with three of his clients, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schele and Hiram Shorey. He created the organization hoping to establish friendships and fellowships with professionals and businessmen. Harris was president of Chicago Rotary Club when the organization did its first community service by construction public toilets in Chicago.

Harris established Rotary International with great ambitions in mind. Early on in the history of the club, new groups were created in the west coast, then throughout the US, and on to Europe.

Harris had his dream realized. At his death in 1947, Rotary International had over 200,000 members in 75 countries. At present, Rotary International had 1.2 million members.