Olney, Charles F. (Charles Fayette), 1831-1903

Charles Fayette Olney (1831-1903) devoted his life to art collecting, education, and serving his community. Although Olney's formal education was limited, in 1848 he became the principal of a grade school in Hartford, CT. His ability in the field of education was further exhibited in his founding of two high schools (Hartford, CT; and New York City, NY) and his co-founding and 15 year presidency of the New York Teachers Association. Olney's civic contributions included serving in leadership positions for the Cleveland School of Art, and the Cleveland Council of Sociology. Olney also was a Deacon for Pilgrim Congregational Church, Cleveland. Olney's love for art was reflected in his large personal collection, and the eventual conversion in 1893 of his Cleveland home (W. 25th Street) into the Olney Art Gallery. It was open until 1907. In 1861, Olney married Louisa Brown (d. 1878). In 1887, he remarried Abbie Bradley Lamson (d. 1904). Neither of these unions produced any children. Upon his death in 1903, Olney left the bulk of his collection, along with funds for its maintenance, to Oberlin College.

Art patron; Cleveland, Ohio.

Olney was one of the first benefactors of Oberlin College's Allen Memorial Art Museum.