Birth and Family
Jeffrey Edward Epstein was born on January 20, 1953, in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Pauline and Seymour Epstein; his father worked for the New York City Parks Department. He has one brother, Mark Epstein.
Benson High School
Epstein attended Benson High School in Brooklyn, where he demonstrated exceptional mathematical ability. He was known as a standout student and was recognized as a National Merit Scholar.
Cooper Union and NYU
Epstein enrolled at Cooper Union in New York after high school, then transferred to New York University (NYU). He studied mathematics and physics. He left NYU without completing his degree when he was 19 years old.
The Dalton School
Despite lacking a college degree, Epstein was hired as a mathematics teacher at the Dalton School, a prestigious private school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The connection was reportedly facilitated through family friends.
Bear Stearns Entry
At Dalton, Epstein’s mathematical skill attracted the attention of Bear Stearns executive Alan ‘Ace’ Greenberg, whose children attended the school. This connection gave Epstein an introduction to Bear Stearns, where he joined as a lowly trainee and eventually rose to become a limited partner.