Charles F. Spalding

Charles F. Spalding
Born	1918 Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S.
Died	1999 Hillsborough, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Investment banker, political consultant, television scriptwriter, author
Known for	Contributions to John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy presidential campaigns; co-author of Love At First Flight; vice president at Lazard

Charles F. Spalding (1918–1999) was an American investment banker, political consultant, television scriptwriter, and heir. He contributed to the presidential campaigns of both John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, co-authored the popular book Love At First Flight, worked as a screenwriter for Charlie Chaplin, and held the position of vice president at the New York City-based investment bank Lazard.

Early life

Spalding was born in 1918 in Lake Forest, Illinois and inherited wealth from the Cudahy Packing Company through his maternal grandfather, Patrick Cudahy. He completed his education at The Hill School before graduating from Yale University in 1941, where he regularly wrote a weekly column for the Yale Daily News. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy.

Career

After being introduced to John F. Kennedy by his Yale roommate, Spalding developed a close friendship with JFK and participated in his presidential campaigns in Illinois and West Virginia. He also supported Robert F. Kennedy's campaign efforts in California. In 1943, alongside Otis Carney, he co-authored the best-selling book Love At First Flight. When actor Gary Cooper acquired the book's rights, Spalding relocated to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting opportunities with Charlie Chaplin. Subsequently, he penned scripts for television at J. Walter Thompson. In 1952, he worked as a production associate on the Broadway musical Of Three I See.

Spalding later established the investment banking firm De Sainte Phalle Spalding and went on to serve as vice president at Lazard in New York City until his retirement in the 1980s.

Personal life

With his first wife, Elizabeth Coxe Spalding, he fathered three sons—Charles F. Spalding Jr., Gerald C. Spalding, Richard C. Spalding—and three daughters—Elizabeth S. Perry, Josephine Spalding, and Florence C. Spalding. His second marriage was to Amy Ann Sullivan. Later, he wed heiress and philanthropist Berenice Roth Spalding, granddaughter of William Matson, founder of Matson, Inc., a shipping company. The couple resided in Hillsborough, California.

Spalding was affiliated with San Francisco's Pacific-Union Club, an exclusive gentlemen's club.

Death

He passed away from myeloma in 1999 at his home in Hillsborough, California. His funeral service took place at St Matthew's Episcopal Church in San Mateo.

Bibliography

• Carney, Otis; Spalding, Charles F.. Love At First Flight. 1943.