Last Updated on March 15, 2012 by
Brush, Charles Francis; scientist; born at Euclid, O., Mar. 17, 1849; son of Isaac Elbert and Delia Wisner (Phillips) Brush; M. E., University of Michigan, 1869; Ph. D., Western Reserve, 1880; (hon. M. S., University of Michigan. 1899; LL. D., Western Reserve, 1900; Kenyon, 1903); married Mary E. Morris, of Cleveland, Oct. 6, 1875; chem. expert, Cleveland, 1870-1873; iron and ore commn. mcht., 1873-1877; pioneer investigator of electric lighting and invented the Brush electric arc light, 1878, now in general use; also the storage battery (fundamental invention) and other devices essential to modern electrical engineering; founder the Brush Electric Co.; credited with “The Practical Development of Electric Are Lighting” (Rumford medal); pres. Cleveland Arcade Co. since 1887; Linde Air Products Co. since 1907; Trustee Western Reserve University, Adelbert College, University School, Cleveland School of Art, Lake View Cemetery; corporator Case School Applied Science; member Sinking Fund Commission of Cleveland; Chevalier, Legion of Honor, France, 1881; Rumford medal, Am. Acad. Arts and Sciences, 1899; member Am. Philos. Soc.; fellow, A. A. A. S.; life member Brit. Ass’n, Ohio State Board Commerce, Cleveland Chamber Commerce (pres. 1909-1910); Am. Soc. Mech. Engrs.; member Am. Inst. Elec. Engrs., Archaeol. Inst. America, Am. Hist. Ass’n, Nat. Electric Light Ass’n, Franklin Inst., Phila., Am. Chem. Soc. Clubs: University (New York), Country, Euclid, University, Union (pres. 1897-1898), Mayfield (Cleveland), Winous Point Shooting (pres. since 1895).