Charles Luckman

Charles Luckman
Born(1909-05-16)May 16, 1909
DiedJanuary 26, 1999(1999-01-26) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California
Alma materUniversity of Illinois
OccupationArchitect
AwardsOrder of St. John
Legion of Honor
Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
Horatio Alger Award
Henry Laurence Gantt Medal
PracticePereira & Luckman (1950–1959)
BuildingsTheme Building, Prudential Tower, Madison Square Garden, The Forum, Aon Center, Phoenix Symphony Hall, Conoco-Phillips Building
ProjectsLos Angeles International Airport

Charles Luckman (May 16, 1909 – January 26, 1999) was an American businessman, property developer, and architect known for designing landmark buildings in the United States such as the Theme Building, Prudential Tower, Madison Square Garden, and The Forum. He was named the "Boy Wonder of American Business"[1] by Time magazine when president of the Pepsodent toothpaste company in 1939. Through acquisition, he later became president of Lever Brothers. Luckman would later collaborate with William Pereira, in which the two would form their architectural firm, Pereira & Luckman, in 1950.[2] Pereira & Luckman would later dissolve by 1958, parting ways for both himself and Pereira. Luckman would continue successfully with his own firm, Charles Luckman Associates. Luckman retired from the firm, although he would still be present.

Aside from his business and architectural work, Luckman did public work that dates back during World War II. He was appointed on the President's Committee on Civil Rights during the Truman administration, as well as being the chairman of the Citizens Food Committee and the Freedom Train; both of which helped out Europe. As a result of his work in Europe, Luckman was honored with the Order of St. John, Legion of Honor and Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity. Additionally, Luckman was an active supporter of public education.

Luckman died on January 26, 1999, at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 89.[3]

  1. ^ Westwick, Peter J. (June 2012). Blue Sky Metropolis: The Aerospace Century in Southern California. University of California Press. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-52-028906-2.
  2. ^ Walser, Lauren (November 23, 2017). "Exploring the Legacy of Midcentury Architectural Firm Pereira & Luckman". savingplaces.org. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  3. ^ Muschamp, Herbert (January 28, 1999). "Charles Luckman, Architect Who Designed Penn Station's Replacement, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2019.