Charles L. Hutchinson

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Charles Lawrence Hutchinson (March 7, 1854 – October 7, 1924) was a prominent Chicago businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader who served as president of the Chicago Board of Trade at the age of 34 in 1888.
Hutchinson was elected CBOT president with the most votes cast in an election and received the most overwhelming majority of votes cast, receiving 1096 of the 1287 votes. 
== Early Life and Career ==
Hutchinson was the son of Benjamin P. Hutchinson who was the most powerful trader at the Chicago Board of Trade from 1887 to 1890. C.L. Hutchinson's father was called "Old Hutch" and was responsible for multiple attempted corners of the markets.
Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Hutchinson moved to Chicago with his family in 1856. He graduated from Chicago public schools in 1872 and did not go to college, but entered the business world as a clerk in his father's office. In 1875, he became a junior partner in his father's firm, B.P. Hutchinson and Son, which dealt in commission merchants.
== Business and Civic Involvement ==
Hutchinson was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and became its president in 1888 at the young age of 34. He also served as president of the Corn Exchange Bank, which through mergers and acquisitions later became part of Bank of America. Additionally, he was a director at the Chicago City Railway Co., Northern Trust Bank, State Bank of Chicago (later part of Chase Bank after mergers), and Western Stone Company. Hutchinson also held multiple key roles in the Commercial Club of Chicago, including president, vice-president, and treasurer. 
===Acquiring Art===
While on a trip to Europe, Hutchinson was able to purchase 13 works of art by Dutch masters; Rembrandt, Hobbema, Van Ostade, Van Dyke, Johann Steen, Terburg, Teniers, Adrian Van der Velde, William Van der Velde, and Rubens. The paintings were purchased after the death of Anatoly Demidov, 1st Prince of San Donato. His wife, the Princess, needed money and sold the paintings in Paris at a discount to prices the paintings would have sold for a year earlier. 
===Civic & Educational ===
Beyond his business pursuits, Hutchinson was deeply involved in Chicago's civic and cultural life. He was a founding trustee and the first treasurer of the University of Chicago, positions he held until his death. Perhaps his most enduring legacy is his role as the founding and long-time president of the Art Institute of Chicago.. Hutchinson served as a director and secretary of the Chicago Auditorium Association and as the treasurer for both the Chicago Opera Association and the Chicago Sanitary District. Hutchinson was a trustee for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the treasurer for the Citizen's Association of Chicago, the Civic Music Association of Chicago, and the Illinois Committee on Social Legislation. He chaired and directed the Fine Arts Committee of the World's Columbian Exposition and was a director of the Horticultural Society of Chicago. Hutchinson also played a role as a commissioner for the South Parks Commission, a delegate for the Republican Sanitary District Convention, and a member of the committee of 100 for the World's Columbian Exposition. 
Hutchinson was the founding president of the American Federation of Arts. Additionally, he was a trustee of the Carnegie Institute of Washington and the National University, as well as a trustee and treasurer of the University of Chicago. Hutchinson also held the role of treasurer for the Chicago Manual Training School (University High School) and the Municipal Art League. He was a director of the Chicago Public Library and vice-president of both the Egypt Exploration Fund and the National Art Association - Smithsonian Institution. 
He was actively involved in numerous philanthropic and reform initiatives, demonstrating his dedication to social welfare and community support. He served as the executive secretary and general counsel for the American Vigilance Association and held the presidency of the Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Society, the Chicago Orphan Asylum, and the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness. Hutchinson was also a trustee of the Old People's Home of the City of Chicago and Presbyterian Hospital, as well as a member of the Committee of 100 for Oakhaven Old People's Home (now Smith Senior Living). His roles extended to treasurer positions at the Chicago Peace Society, Hull House, Illinois Society for Mental Hygiene, Immanuel Woman's Home Association, Immigrant's Protective League, and Rush Medical College.
== Philanthropy and Honors ==
Hutchinson's philanthropic efforts were widely recognized. He received honorary degrees from Tufts University (Master of Arts in 1901 and LL.D in 1920) and Harvard University (Master of Arts in 1915). For his service as consul general for Greece in Chicago during the World's Columbian Exposition, he was awarded the Badge of the Order of the Redeemer by King George I of Greece in 1908.
During World War I, Hutchinson worked with the Belgian Relief Committee, for which he was granted a knighthood by King Albert I of Belgium in 1919. He also supported the founding of the League of Nations after the war.
He was chairman and director of the Fine Arts Committee of the World's Columbian Exposition. He was a trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also served as president of the Chicago Orphan Asylum. Additionally, he served as president of St. Paul’s Universalist Church, vice president of the Egypt Exploration Fund, and treasurer of Rush Medical College. 
Hutchinson was a member of the Chicago Literary Club from 1884 until his death in 1924. He was president of the Club in 1907-08.
== Legacy ==
Charles L. Hutchinson is remembered as a multifaceted figure who significantly impacted Chicago's business, cultural, and philanthropic landscapes. His contributions to the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago, in particular, have had lasting effects on the city's cultural and educational institutions.
He made a substantial bequeath to the Art Institute of Chicago in his will, giving the institution 20 paintings and $95,000.
Hutchinson passed away on October 7, 1924, and is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.
== References ==	
Category:Deceased
Category:Deceased Members of the Chicago Board of Trade
Category:CBOT Members
Category:Former CBOT Officials
Category:Presidents of the Chicago Board of Trade
Category:Former Exchange Presidents