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Augustus Post
Augustus Thomas Post Jr. (8 December 1873 – 4 October 1952) was an American adventurer who distinguished himself as an automotive pioneer, balloonist, early aviator, writer, actor, musician and lecturer. Post pursued an interest in transportation of every form. In 1898, when Post was 25, following his time at Harvard Law School, he circumnavigated the globe by rail and steamship. He then bought one of the earlier made automobiles, crafted by Charles Duryea, and helped found the Glidden Auto Tours, an automotive distance drive and competition used to promote a national highway system. He was the original founder, in 1902, of what is now the American Automobile Association (AAA), first known as the Auto Club of America. He established the nation's first parking garage, the first bus service, and also received the first driving ticket in New York.
In 1907, Post was one of the first civilians to descend in a submarine. Two years later he became the thirteenth man to fly solo in an airplane. As founder of the Aero Club of America he served as official timer for Orville Wright's historic 57-minute flight at Fort Myer, Virginia in 1908. Early that same year and in winter's cold at Hammondsport, New York, Post worked with Alexander Graham Bell's Aerial Experiment Association where he represented the Aero Club and helped test new equipment and gliders. Post then worked with fellow AEA alumn Glenn Curtiss and was present for the historic flight of the Curtiss June Bug. He also participated in the international Gordon Bennett Balloon Races from 1906 to 1910. In 1910 he set a distance and duration record in a free balloon, flying as aide to Alan R. Hawley in the balloon "America II", a North American record that stood for 95 years.
In 1919, five years after having predicted the possibility of transatlantic travel, Post inspired hotel owner Raymond Orteig to put up the $25,000 prize money for the transatlantic flight competition that was ultimately won by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. Post also made meaningful contributions to the establishment of the US air mail service, and to the creation of one of the first major academic programs in Aeronautical Engineering, which was at New York University.
Outside of his work in transportation, Post was an avid outdoorsman. He was an original member of the Society of the Sons of Daniel Boone which merged to form the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. In addition to his other pursuits, Post performed on Broadway, acted in plays, and wrote books of poetry, an opera, and original songs. In his later life Post worked as part of the National Association for Music in Hospitals, performed with the New York Symphony Chorus, and continued to support the causes and groups he had helped establish. He was a sought-after professional lecturer until his death in 1952 at age 78.
Post was born to Augustus T. Post Sr. (1832–1891), a banker, and Mary Elizabeth Austin (1844–1893), in Brooklyn, New York, in 1873. He had one sister, Mary Augusta Post, who was a year and a half his senior, and with whom he was close throughout his life. The two children grew up in comfort as their father amassed considerable wealth in banking, becoming the president of Produce Bank.
A year before his death, Post Sr. was associated with the case of bank forger Albert H. Smith, who was convicted of stealing more than $400,000 ($14 million in 2024 dollars) from a series of financial institutions, including Produce Bank. Post Sr. was never alleged to be complicit in the crimes, nor was his fortune considered to be associated with the case.
Both of their parents died when Post and his sister Mary were still teenagers. They inherited their father's fortune and spent their time among the social elites of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Post attended Brooklyn Polytechnic, then went to Amherst College, where he competed as a speed walker in track and field. He also sang second bass in the Glee Club and was a member of the banjo club and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He received a Masters of Arts in 1895 and then went to Harvard Law School from 1895 to 1896.
Augustus Post
Augustus Thomas Post Jr. (8 December 1873 – 4 October 1952) was an American adventurer who distinguished himself as an automotive pioneer, balloonist, early aviator, writer, actor, musician and lecturer. Post pursued an interest in transportation of every form. In 1898, when Post was 25, following his time at Harvard Law School, he circumnavigated the globe by rail and steamship. He then bought one of the earlier made automobiles, crafted by Charles Duryea, and helped found the Glidden Auto Tours, an automotive distance drive and competition used to promote a national highway system. He was the original founder, in 1902, of what is now the American Automobile Association (AAA), first known as the Auto Club of America. He established the nation's first parking garage, the first bus service, and also received the first driving ticket in New York.
In 1907, Post was one of the first civilians to descend in a submarine. Two years later he became the thirteenth man to fly solo in an airplane. As founder of the Aero Club of America he served as official timer for Orville Wright's historic 57-minute flight at Fort Myer, Virginia in 1908. Early that same year and in winter's cold at Hammondsport, New York, Post worked with Alexander Graham Bell's Aerial Experiment Association where he represented the Aero Club and helped test new equipment and gliders. Post then worked with fellow AEA alumn Glenn Curtiss and was present for the historic flight of the Curtiss June Bug. He also participated in the international Gordon Bennett Balloon Races from 1906 to 1910. In 1910 he set a distance and duration record in a free balloon, flying as aide to Alan R. Hawley in the balloon "America II", a North American record that stood for 95 years.
In 1919, five years after having predicted the possibility of transatlantic travel, Post inspired hotel owner Raymond Orteig to put up the $25,000 prize money for the transatlantic flight competition that was ultimately won by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. Post also made meaningful contributions to the establishment of the US air mail service, and to the creation of one of the first major academic programs in Aeronautical Engineering, which was at New York University.
Outside of his work in transportation, Post was an avid outdoorsman. He was an original member of the Society of the Sons of Daniel Boone which merged to form the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. In addition to his other pursuits, Post performed on Broadway, acted in plays, and wrote books of poetry, an opera, and original songs. In his later life Post worked as part of the National Association for Music in Hospitals, performed with the New York Symphony Chorus, and continued to support the causes and groups he had helped establish. He was a sought-after professional lecturer until his death in 1952 at age 78.
Post was born to Augustus T. Post Sr. (1832–1891), a banker, and Mary Elizabeth Austin (1844–1893), in Brooklyn, New York, in 1873. He had one sister, Mary Augusta Post, who was a year and a half his senior, and with whom he was close throughout his life. The two children grew up in comfort as their father amassed considerable wealth in banking, becoming the president of Produce Bank.
A year before his death, Post Sr. was associated with the case of bank forger Albert H. Smith, who was convicted of stealing more than $400,000 ($14 million in 2024 dollars) from a series of financial institutions, including Produce Bank. Post Sr. was never alleged to be complicit in the crimes, nor was his fortune considered to be associated with the case.
Both of their parents died when Post and his sister Mary were still teenagers. They inherited their father's fortune and spent their time among the social elites of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Post attended Brooklyn Polytechnic, then went to Amherst College, where he competed as a speed walker in track and field. He also sang second bass in the Glee Club and was a member of the banjo club and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He received a Masters of Arts in 1895 and then went to Harvard Law School from 1895 to 1896.
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