Charles A. Spencer

Charles A. Spencer was an American scientific pioneer and inventor, who is widely believed to have developed the first American-made achromatic objective microscope. He was born in 1813 in Madison County, NY

Microscopy Spencer Microscope: Brass and glass, made circa 1849-1859 by C. A. & H. Spencer, Canastota, NY USASpencer’s first microscopes were available for purchase in 1838.

A memorial fund was also established as an endowment, which would grant "not more than $100" each year, to be used for research purposes by the recipient.

Legacy In 1895, Herbert R. Spencer continued his father's work with the establishment of the Spencer Lens Company, based in Buffalo, NY. The company was later purchased by the American Optical Company. In 1967, Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical acquired the company which, after changing hands several times, ultimately came to be known as Reichert Technologies, Inc. In 2011, the company became a part of AMETEK.