Charles Howard Candler Sr.
Charles Howard Candler Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 2, 1878 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | October 1, 1957 (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, writer |
| Known for | President of Coca-Cola Company, biography of Asa Griggs Candler |
Charles Howard Candler Sr. (December 2, 1878 – October 1, 1957) was an American entrepreneur and writer. He was one of the select few entrusted by his father, Asa Candler, with the confidential recipe of Coca-Cola, which originally contained coca leaves.
Biography
Candler, born in Atlanta, Georgia, was the firstborn child of Asa and Lucy Elizabeth Candler (née Howard). His name honored his maternal grandfather, merchant George C. Howard.
His education included attendance at the Georgia Military Institute and Emory College at Oxford. He then spent two years studying at Emory University School of Medicine and an additional year at Bellevue Hospital Medical College before commencing his career with Coca-Cola.
Graduating from Emory College in 1898, Candler embarked on a 1900 journey through Canada, visiting cities such as Vancouver and Victoria, where Coca-Cola was already available. This trip aimed to assess opportunities for expanding product distribution in that region.
In 1916, he took over as president of the Coca-Cola Company following his father’s tenure but resigned shortly thereafter. He resumed leadership from 1920 to 1923 when ownership had transitioned to Ernest Woodruff, who had purchased Coca-Cola from the Candler family.
Together with Robert W. Woodruff, son of Ernest Woodruff, Candler remains one of only two individuals to have held the presidency of Coca-Cola on two separate occasions.
Personal life
Candler was married to Flora Glenn Candler, who was known for her significant support of the arts. Alongside her brother, Thomas K. Glenn, they financed the Glenn Memorial Methodist Church located on Emory University's grounds. His philanthropic efforts towards Emory amounted to approximately $13 million, which included funding for a new administration building and acquiring a half-interest in Asa G. Candler Inc. After his passing, an endowment was established in his honor to create the Charles Howard Candler Professorships.
Home
The residence Candler owned in Atlanta’s Druid Hill neighborhood has been repurposed as the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. This venue now serves as a hub for community arts education and hosts various annual social gatherings.
Professorship
For 28 years, from 1929 until his death in 1957, Candler served as chairman of Emory University's board of trustees, succeeding his father in this role. Following his death, his widow endowed the Charles Howard Candler Professorships to recognize faculty members distinguished by exceptional teaching and internationally acclaimed scholarship.
Writings
Candler wrote a biography about his father titled "Asa Griggs Candler," initially published in 1950 and later reissued in 1997 under the title "Asa Griggs Candler: Founder of Coca-Cola" by his son, Charles Howard Candler Jr., who himself is an accomplished professor and author of three books.