Charles Ezra Sprague
Charles Ezra Sprague | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Nassau, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 21, 1912 (aged 69) |
| Occupation(s) | Accountant, author, banker |
| Known for | Pioneering American accounting, Handbook of Volapük, first state certification for accountants in America |
Charles Ezra Sprague (October 9, 1842 – March 21, 1912) was a prominent American accountant originating from Nassau, New York. He played a pioneering role in shaping the accounting profession and authored the first significant English-language textbook on the artificial language Volapük, titled Handbook of Volapük (1888).
Sprague enlisted in the 44th New York Infantry during the American Civil War and took part in key engagements, including the Battle of Gettysburg, where his regiment was instrumental in defending Little Round Top against enemy assaults. His comprehensive military service records are maintained within the New York State Archives.
In his professional career, Sprague served as president of both the New York Institute of Accounts and the Union Dime Savings Bank, which was later renamed the Dime Savings Bank of New York. Additionally, he was appointed as the inaugural treasurer of the Simplified Spelling Board, an organization dedicated to reforming English orthography.
One of Sprague’s notable achievements was his involvement in creating the first state-level certification process for accountants in America. His significant contributions to accounting were honored posthumously with induction into Ohio State University’s Accounting Hall of Fame in 1953.
He is also recognized as the maternal grandfather of L. Sprague de Camp, a distinguished author in the science fiction genre.
References
- Miranti, Paul J. "Birth of a Profession". The CPA Journal. (1996). Online access retrieved January 4, 2008.
- Rogers, Rodney K. "Sprague, Charles Ezra [1842-1912". History of Accounting: An International Encyclopedia. New York: Garland, 1996. pp. 548–550. Online access retrieved July 20, 2011.