Ferdinand Peck

Biography

Ferdinand Peck was an entrepreneur and patron of the arts whose generosity helped cultivate Chicago’s cultural vitality in the decades after the Great Fire. He championed public art and educational initiatives, believing that beauty and learning should be accessible to all citizens.

Peck’s broad philanthropy supported theaters, relief efforts, and institutions that sought to uplift the community. His belief in civic responsibility and the power of shared culture left a lasting imprint on the city’s civic character.