Arthur H. Fleming

Arthur H. Fleming in 1920

Arthur H. Fleming (1856 – August 11, 1940) was a successful Canadian-American lumber operator in the western United States of America around the turn of the 20th century and is best known as a philanthropist who, with his daughter, gave more than $5,000,000 to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).[1] Fleming House at Caltech is named in his honor. Fleming also funded the construction of a World War I memorial in Compiègne to house the railroad car in which the 1918 Armistice with Germany was signed. The railcar was later seized by Nazi Germany in 1940.[2]

Fleming held many positions of authority. During World War I he served as chief of the state councils section of the Council of National Defense.[2] In the 1920s, he was president of the California Institute of Technology, Sugar Pine Lumber Company, and the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company; a director of Southern California Edison; and vice-president of the Minarets and Western Railroad.[3]

  1. ^ "Arthur H. Fleming, who gave Caltech millions, dies at home here : Noted philanthropist contributed both time and money to cause of education, arts, won Noble award for civic service :: Pasadena Public Library". Pasadena Star-News Collection. August 12, 1940. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Arthur Fleming Succumbs at 84". San Pedro News Pilot. San Pedro, California. August 12, 1940. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "Lumber Men Visit Mills". Madera Tribune. January 10, 1923. Retrieved September 25, 2022.