Paul P. Harris, Founder
Paul P. Harris is founder of the World’s first and foremost international service club. His inspiration led to an organization of business and professional leaders, united to provide humanitarian service, to promote high ethical standards in all vocations and help build good will and peace in the world. Harris was born in Racine, Wisconsin, April 19, 1868. He worked as a newspaper reporter, business teacher, stock company actor, cowboy and traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe selling marble and granite, before eventually turning to the practice of law in Chicago in 1896. One evening, Paul went with a professional friend to his suburban home. After dinner Paul’s friend introduced him to various tradesmen in his neighborhood. During the visits it occurred to Paul, "why not have a fellowship composed of business men from different occupations, without restrictions of politics or religion?" Thus, on February 23, 1905, Harris formed the first Rotary Club with three other businessmen. A second club was founded in San Francisco in 1908 and by August 1910, there were 16 clubs and the National Association of Rotary Clubs was organized. The organization became international with the formation of clubs in Canada and Great Britain in 1912. When Paul Harris died on January 27, 1947, his dream had grown from an informal meeting of four to some 6,000 clubs.