Jeffrey Epstein’s first notable professional position was teaching mathematics and physics at the Dalton School — one of New York’s most prestigious private preparatory schools — from 1974 to 1976. The hiring decision was made by Dalton Headmaster Donald Barr.
The Hiring
Epstein was hired by Donald Barr around 1974 without a college degree — an extraordinary exception at a school serving the children of Manhattan’s elite. Barr has been described as someone who enjoyed spotting unconventional talent. Epstein apparently demonstrated mathematical ability sufficient to convince Barr he could teach high school physics and calculus.
Epstein at Dalton
At Dalton, Epstein taught upper-school students — teenagers from wealthy Manhattan families. The school served the children of prominent New York figures in business, finance, and the arts. The position gave Epstein his first access to elite New York social circles and is where he made initial connections that would eventually lead to his introduction to Bear Stearns.
The Dismissal
Epstein was dismissed from Dalton in 1976. The specific circumstances of his departure have never been fully clarified. Various accounts have cited performance issues, conduct concerns, or simply a decision that his unconventional background was not a good fit.
Donald Barr and William Barr
Donald Barr was the father of William Barr, who served as U.S. Attorney General twice — under George H.W. Bush and under Donald Trump, the latter appointment coinciding exactly with Epstein’s 2019 death. The father-son connection between the man who hired Epstein and the Attorney General who oversaw the investigation of his death has been a recurring subject of commentary, though no improper influence has been established.
Significance
Dalton was where Epstein’s social ascent began. Getting a foothold at the top tier of Manhattan private education — even briefly — gave him contacts and social exposure that helped launch the rest of his career.