Ames was born in 1917 in
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. Growing up, Ames attended violin lessons at
Hartley House, through which he earned a scholarship to
Fieldston School and
Columbia College, from which he graduated in 1937. He subsequently received a law degree from
Fordham University School of Law in 1942, before serving four years in the
United States Navy. Ames joined
Lazard Freres in 1937 as a college student and was made a general partner in 1957. Ames was a lieutenant for
André Meyer, who headed Lazard's American operations, and oversaw the firm's advisory business. He was credited with making the firm's first significant real estate investment and undertaking several real estate deals with real estate developer
William Zeckendorf. Ames was also the chairman emeritus of Columbia College's board of visitors. == Personal life and family ==