Edward E. Ayer

Biography

Edward E. Ayer parlayed a successful career in shipping and lumber into a lasting legacy of cultural philanthropy in Chicago. He assembled a remarkable library of Americana and Indigenous materials that formed the core collection of the Newberry Library and funded exhibits at the Field Museum of Natural History.

His support extended to scholars and expeditions, especially those documenting Native American languages and history, and he encouraged a broader appreciation of the region’s heritage. Ayer remained deeply engaged with civic life, believing that generosity and curiosity could reshape a city.