Charles Sumner Hamlin
Charles Sumner Hamlin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | April 24, 1938 (aged 76) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, public official |
| Known for | First chairman of the Federal Reserve (1914–1916), United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1893–1897, 1913–1914) |
Charles Sumner Hamlin (August 30, 1861 – April 24, 1938) was a distinguished American attorney and public official who held the position of the inaugural chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1914 through 1916. His tenure in public service also included two terms as United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, first from 1893 to 1897 and later from 1913 to 1914. During the latter period, President Woodrow Wilson named him to the original Federal Reserve Board. Following his role as chairman, Hamlin continued his service on the Board until 1936.
Early life
Hamlin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University in 1883 and completed a Master of Arts there in 1886. Concurrently with his graduate studies, he pursued legal training and gained admission to the bar in 1886, after which he practiced law in Boston.
Career
His public career featured two appointments as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, spanning 1893–1897 and again 1913–1914. Hamlin sought election as Governor of Massachusetts in both 1902 and 1910 but was not successful. On August 10, 1914, he was appointed as the first chairman of the Federal Reserve, a post he held until August 9, 1916; he remained a member of the Federal Reserve Board until 1936. Additionally, he taught government-related courses at Harvard University between 1902 and 1903.
In political circles during 1912, Hamlin served as vice president of the Woodrow Wilson College Men's League and led the Woodrow Wilson League of Massachusetts as its president. His written contributions include financial and statistical publications such as the Index Digest of Interstate Commerce Laws (1907) and Index Digest of the Federal Reserve Bulletin (1921).
Death
Hamlin passed away in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 1938. His final resting place is at Forest Hills Cemetery located in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
Family
In 1898, Hamlin married Huybertje Lansing Pruyn (1878–1964), who was the daughter of John V. L. Pruyn and granddaughter of Amasa J. Parker.
Legacy
The personal papers and documents of Charles S. Hamlin are preserved within the collections of the Library of Congress.