Concise Encyclopedia of Tufts History
Sauer, Anne
Branco, Jessica
Bennett, John
Crowley, Zachary
2000
Dana, Charles A., 1881-1975
Charles A. Dana (1881-1975), H1964, was a noted industrialist and philanthropist who donated $750,000 to Tufts for the construction of the Dana Biology Laboratories on the Medford campus. | |
Dana was born on April 21, 1881, in New York City. He received his education at Colombia University, where he received a B.A. and a law degree. After his graduation, Dana worked as a prosecuting attorney for the New York District Attorney's office before moving on to a career in politics. Using the public exposure he gained from his position with the District Attorney, Dana successfully campaigned for a seat in the New York state legislature, where he served three terms. He became a close associate of both New York governor C.E. Hughes and future president Theodore Roosevelt. Dana later managed one of Roosevelt's presidential campaigns. | |
In 1914, Dana left politics to start an industrial career. By 1946, Dana had established the Dana Corporation, a complex of five auto parts companies that brought in annual revenues of over $150 million. It was with these funds that he started his career as a philanthropist. | |
Dana became known for his generosity to hospitals and small universities. In 1963, Dana donated $750,000 to Tufts University in order to finance the construction of Dana Laboratories, which was built adjoining Barnum Hall. | |
Dana died in November 1975 at the age of ninety-four. | |
Source: VF | |
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