Hagop Bogigian (April 2, 1856 – December 13, 1931) was a prominent

Armenian-American Armenian Americans () are citizens or residents of the United States who have total or partial Armenian ancestry. They form the second largest community of the Armenian diaspora after Armenians in Russia. The first major wave of Armenian immig ...

entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born in Hussenig, near Harput in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Elazığ, Turkey), Bogigian emigrated to the United States in 1882, seeking refuge from persecution and better economic opportunities. He became a successful antique and rug merchant and was located across the state house in Massachusetts.

Background

Settling in

Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Massachusetts, second-most populous city in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the list of United States cities by population, 113th most populous city in the United States. Named after Worcester ...

, he worked various jobs before establishing a successful import business specializing in Middle Eastern goods, particularly Armenian rugs and textiles. His entrepreneurial success allowed him to amass significant wealth, which he used to support numerous charitable causes. Bogigian was deeply committed to aiding his fellow

Armenians Armenians (, ) are an ethnic group indigenous to the Armenian highlands of West Asia.Robert Hewsen, Hewsen, Robert H. "The Geography of Armenia" in ''The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiq ...

, especially those affected by the

Armenian Genocide The Armenian genocide was the systematic destruction of the Armenians, Armenian people and identity in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Spearheaded by the ruling Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), it was implemented primarily t ...

. He donated generously to relief efforts, supported orphanages, and contributed to rebuilding Armenian communities in the diaspora. Additionally, he funded scholarships and supported educational and cultural institutions, promoting Armenian heritage and assisting Armenian students. Known for his humility and dedication to philanthropy, Bogigian lived modestly despite his success. His legacy endures through the many institutions and initiatives he supported, making him a revered figure in the Armenian-American community. He helped educational institutions, establishing full scholarships for worthy, young Armenian women at Wilson College in Pennsylvania; Mount Holyoke College in western Massachusetts; and Pomona College in California and many others.

Background

References

See also