Sam Maloof (1916-2009) was a self taught furniture maker, woodworker who worked and lived in Alta Loma, California. He married his first wife Alfreda Ward (d. 1998) in 1948 and together they founded the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts in 1994.
He was known for his signature rocker—which is comfortable above all, and has been commissioned by Presidents Carter, Reagan, and Clinton. In 1985 he was awarded the MacArthur Foundation fellowship “genius grant,” making him the first craftsman to ever receive the honor. He has work in numerous public and private collections, including the White House Collection of Arts and Crafts.
