Charles Pratt, 1830 - 1891.

Unknown artist

Made his fortune in the oil business partnered with John D. Rockefeller. Founded the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Gave the Watertown Free Public Library a trust fund in honor of his father, Asa. The Pratt Room is located on the ground floor of the library. Pratt was a pioneer of the U.S. petroleum industry. An advocate of education, Pratt founded and endowed the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, now a renowned art college. Charles Pratt was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, one of eleven children. His father, Asa Pratt, was a carpenter. Pratt merged with Rockafellow to create Standard Oil. Although the merger made Pratt a wealthy man, as a member of the board of directors of Standard Oil, he maintained his independence and frequently criticized Rockefeller.