Henry A. Strong

Henry Alvah Strong (August 30, 1838 – July 26, 1919) was an American photography businessman. He was the first president of the Eastman Kodak Company.

Early life and family

Henry Strong was born on August 30, 1838, in Rochester, New York. His brother was the theologian Augustus Hopkins Strong. He adopted her son, Corrin, and the family returned to Rochester, New York.

Business ventures

Strong held a lead position in his family's buggy whip manufacturing company prior to meeting George Eastman in 1870. The two entered a partnership in 1880 and the Eastman Dry Plate Company was founded on January 1, 1881, with Strong as president and Eastman as treasurer. It would later become Eastman Kodak Company.

Strong died at his home in Rochester on July 26, 1919.

Legacy Numerous buildings in Rochester, notably Strong Memorial Hospital and Strong Auditorium at the University of Rochester were built from his philanthropy.