Ernest Boyd MacNaughton

Ernest Boyd MacNaughton
Ernest Boyd MacNaughton
Born	Template:Birth date; Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Died	August 24, 1960 (aged 79); Portland, Oregon, US
Resting place	River View Cemetery (Portland, Oregon); Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
Other names	E.B. MacNaughton; Mr. Mac
Education	Bachelor of Science degree
Alma mater	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Occupation(s)	President of The Oregonian publishing company; President of First National Bank of Oregon; President of Reed College
Years active	1906Template:Dash1960
Board member of	Japan-America Society of Oregon; American Civil Liberties Union Advisory Council; Oregon Historical Society
Spouses	Gertrude Hutchinson; Cheryl Scholz;
Children	3

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Ernest Boyd MacNaughton, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025

Ernest Boyd MacNaughton (October 22, 1880 – August 24, 1960) held leadership roles including president of the First National Bank of Oregon from 1932 to 1947, chairman from 1947 until 1960, president of the The Oregonian publishing company between 1947 and 1950, as well as president of Reed College from 1948 to 1952. The ACLU honors his legacy through the E.B. MacNaughton Civil Liberties Award named after him.

Early life and education

MacNaughton was born in 1880 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1902.

His professional journey started in Boston as a building contractor working under F.B. Gilbreth. After moving to Portland in 1903, he joined the office of architect Edgar M. Lazarus.

Career

According to the 1984 Portland Historic Resources Inventory, there are 37 structures associated with E.B. MacNaughton.

MacNaughton and Raymond

In 1906, MacNaughton formed an architectural and engineering firm with Herbert E. Raymond called MacNaughton and Raymond. This collaboration lasted until 1907 when Ellis F. Lawrence joined briefly, expanding the firm's architectural capabilities. Following Lawrence’s departure in 1910, the original partnership between MacNaughton and Raymond was restored. Among their significant works during this era were the Sellwood Branch YMCA and the Blake McFall Company Building. Although credited with the 1906 Alexandra Apartment/Hotel in Portland, architectural plans indicate that Lawrence was likely the principal designer. The duo also designed the Clyde Hotel in 1912.

MacNaughton applied his contracting skills to renovate the Marquam Building in 1912; however, after a section collapsed due to inferior brick quality from the original construction, owner Henry Pittock terminated his involvement.

MacNaughton, Raymond, and Lawrence

Ellis F. Lawrence’s addition strengthened the firm’s architectural portfolio with projects such as the Samuel G. Reed House and Cumberland Apartments. When Lawrence departed in 1910 to start his own practice, MacNaughton and Raymond continued their partnership independently.

Strong and MacNaughton

After 1911, MacNaughton redirected his efforts toward resource planning and managing assets, joining forces with Robert H. Strong to establish the Strong and MacNaughton Trust Company. Strong, who oversaw major estates such as Henry W. Corbett’s and was connected through family to the Ladd estate, later served as a commissioner for the Port of Portland.

In 1919, Mayor George Luis Baker appointed MacNaughton to the newly formed Portland planning commission, where he worked alongside architects A. E. Doyle and Ellis F. Lawrence.

During the 1920s, Strong and MacNaughton regularly issued newsletters that provided insights on capital markets, real estate trends, taxation policies, merchandising, infrastructure development, and urban planning approaches. The firm also handled stock portfolio management and acted as transfer agent for the Portland Public Market initiative throughout that era.

First National Bank of Portland

MacNaughton’s banking career began in the mid-1920s when Frederic B. Pratt, owner of Portland's Ladd and Tilton Bank, suspected discrepancies in the bank’s records and engaged MacNaughton to conduct an investigation. Subsequently, MacNaughton was appointed vice president of the bank, and following its acquisition by the U.S. National Bank of Portland, he and Strong oversaw the liquidation of assets.

In 1928, MacNaughton assumed the role of vice president at the First National Bank of Portland. During the Great Depression, he was elevated to president in 1932, became chairman in 1947, and was designated honorary chairman in 1960.

Additionally, he contributed academically as an associate professor of banking at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

The Oregonian

MacNaughton joined the board of directors for The Oregonian publishing company in 1939, serving for eleven years during a time characterized by expensive relocation and expansion projects. He was appointed president in 1947 and orchestrated a sale that led to acquisition by Samuel Irving Newhouse, Sr. for $5.6 million in 1950, concluding his leadership there.

Reed College

In 1919, MacNaughton became part of Reed College’s expanded board of regents alongside architect A. E. Doyle. Over a span of 24 years, he held multiple leadership positions and was named college president in 1948 amidst financial difficulties. During his tenure, he raised faculty pay scales, created a scholarship fund for students, and significantly increased Reed’s endowment through successful fundraising efforts. By 1952, with the college on solid financial footing, MacNaughton resigned as president.

Partial list of honorariums and awards

In recognition of his significant impact on Oregon’s business sector, the University of Oregon awarded MacNaughton an honorary doctorate in 1944.

He was honored with the William Freeman Snow Medal for exceptional humanitarian service in 1952.

From 1955 to 1960, MacNaughton chaired the ACLU Advisory Council; in tribute to his contributions, the E.B. MacNaughton Civil Liberties Award was established in 1962.

Death

MacNaughton passed away from cancer on August 24, 1960, and is interred at River View Cemetery in Portland.

External links