Charles Tufts

Charles Tufts (July 16, 1781 – December 24, 1876) was an American businessman and philanthropist.

Biography Tufts was born in Medford, Massachusetts, the son of Abigail and Daniel Tufts. He was a descendant of Peter Tufts, an early colonist who came to America from England circa 1637. He received a common-school education. He made a fortune through his brickmaking factory, and inherited a large amount of land. Tufts donated of land in Medford for what was to be named Tufts University. In time, Charles Tufts donated another , bringing the campus area to . He married Hannah Robinson in 1821, but had no children.

He died in Somerville, Massachusetts, which is also home to part of the Tufts University campus, and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Legacy Tufts University The World War II Liberty Ship SS Charles Tufts was named in his honor and built in Portland, Oregon in 1944.