What is william polk carey?

William Polk Carey (January 31, 1930 – January 2, 2012) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in a prominent family of businessmen. He graduated from the Gilman School in Baltimore and went on to earn a degree in economics from the Johns Hopkins University.

In 1973, Carey founded W. P. Carey & Co. LLC, a New York-based real estate investment firm. The company specialized in corporate sale-leaseback transactions and became a pioneer in the net lease industry. Under Carey's leadership, the company grew to become one of the largest net lease companies in the world.

In addition to his business activities, Carey was also a noted philanthropist. He supported a wide range of causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts. He served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including the Heritage Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, and the Metropolitan Opera. In 1990, he established the W. P. Carey Foundation, which supports educational and cultural organizations around the world.

Carey passed away on January 2, 2012, at the age of 81. His legacy lives on through the W. P. Carey Foundation and the many organizations he supported throughout his life.