Austin C. Wright

Austin C. Wright
NEW YORK - Austin Carter Wright, a beloved father, husband, son, brother and friend, passed away unexpectedly in New York on January 6 at age 34 from a brain aneurysm.
Raised between Manhattan and Arizona, Austin built his career as a talented political consultant and fundraiser around his innate and genuine interest in people, their stories, their families and what drives them. He never forgot a name, a birthday, or a milestone. He was President of Family Capital Partners, a strategic consulting firm advising individual investors and family offices on political, social and economic endeavors focused on private equity, technology, and real estate opportunities that support the greater good.
While Austin's accomplishments were many, including being an author and public speaker, his greatest joy came from his family. He was a devoted husband to his cherished wife, Madison, and looked upon fatherhood as the ultimate gift. After losing his own father at a young age, their daughter, Eloise, was the light of Austin's life. He loved reading her books, taking her swimming and going to museums and art fairs to open her eyes to the wonders of art.
Austin served as the Chairman of the Museum of Democracy, a nonprofit which comprises the largest collection of political and historical memorabilia and artifacts in the United States, founded by his late father Jordan M. Wright. The collection tells the story of Democracy in America from
George Washington to present day, ranging from political buttons to posters and paper dresses, flags and even ice cream bars, all of which form a fascinating, moving, sometimes humorous and at times outrageous physical record of America's most important achievement - its democratic system. Under Austin's leadership, the collection has been shared with the world through the Museum's exhibitions with an emphasis on youth civics education through emerging AI technology, scholarships and speaking programs at institutions including the New York Historical Society, George W. Bush Presidential Center, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and universities across the nation. His legacy to inspire young people to care about freedom and democracy and engage in the political process will live on through the Museum.
He was a passionate supporter of the arts and many nonprofit institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Israel Museum, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, the Frick Collection, the American Federation for Children, New York Historical Society, and Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Centers, among others.
Austin's zest for life, insatiable curiosity, passionate energy and larger than life persona left an indelible mark on the lives of many.
Austin is survived by his wife, Madison, their 13 month old daughter Eloise, his mother Pamala Wright and her husband Gregory Holmes of Greenwich, CT, sister Mackenzie and brother-in-law Ryan Brumberg, nieces Beatrice and Genevieve and nephew C. Baxter Brumberg of Greenwich, CT. Austin was predeceased by his father, Jordan M. Wright, and grandparents Martin Wright, Faith-Dorian Wright, Marius "Mack" Carter Plummer and Genevieve Plummer.
A celebration of life will be held in Manhattan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Museum of Democracy to continue his legacy in celebration of America's Semiquincentennial.