Raymond Orteig

Biography

Raymond Orteig was a French-born hotelier whose steadfast work ethic and entrepreneurial vision led him to success in the hospitality business. His namesake hotel in New York became a gathering place for travelers and visionaries alike.

He is best known for establishing the Orteig Prize, a bold challenge offering a cash reward for the first nonstop flight between New York and Paris—a prize that inspired Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight and propelled aviation forward. He rests at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.