Charles Lathrop Pack

Born on May 7, 1857, Charles Lathrop Pack came from a prominent lumber family and became one of the best-known American figures in forestry and conservation. Rather than staying only in business, he built a public reputation through campaigns that promoted better forest management and broader public awareness of conservation.

Pack is especially remembered for his leadership in national forest and civic efforts. During World War I, he became closely associated with the victory garden movement, encouraging people to grow food at home as a practical way to support the war effort. That work helped make him a recognizable public spokesman far beyond the timber industry.

He died on June 14, 1937. Today, he is mainly remembered as a businessman-philanthropist who helped bring forestry, conservation, and public service into the same conversation.