Dr. Charles Alexander Richmond, whose labors have long constituted a potent force in moral and intellectual development in the Mohawk valley, has for the past fifteen years occupied the presidency of Union College of Schenectady and the chancellorship of Union University of Albany, New York. He was born in New York city, on the 7th of January, 1862, his parents being Archibald Murray and Margaret (Law) Richmond. He supplemented his early educational training by a year's study in the College of the City of New York and then matriculated in Princeton University, from which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1883 and that of Master of Arts in 1886. Two years later, in 1888, he graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him, by Hamilton College in 1904 and that of LL. D. by six other institutions of learnings, as follows:
Rutgers College, 1909; New York University, 1910; Princeton University, 1915; University of Pittsburgh, 1918; George Washington University, 1921; and St. Andrews University, Scotland, in 1924.
Following his ordination Dr. Richmond filled the pulpit of the First church at East Aurora, New York, until 1894, after which he became pastor of the Madison Avenue church in Albany and thus served until January, 1909, when he entered upon his present duties as president of Union College of Schenectady and chancellor of Union University at Albany. The worth and value of his work during the years of an active, consecrated life is immeasurable. He is a trustee of the Albany Girls' Academy and of the Hill School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, acted as president of the Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools of the Middle States and Maryland in 1915, was chosen president of the New York State College Presidents' Association for the year 1916, and president of the Association of American Colleges in 1922. In 1922 he was appointed and served as lecturer at the Sorbonne University of Paris, France. In addition Dr. Richmond is a member of many learned societies. Pronounced literary talent is manifest in his book entitled "The Four Winds", which was published in 1902, and he is also the author of various poems, which have been widely read. His lectures and addresses on educational subjects have won him popular distinction in this connection.
On the 5th of June, 1891, Dr. Richmond was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cooper Locke of Buffalo, New York. He is a member of the Fort Orange and University Clubs of Albany, the Century and Princeton Clubs of New York and the Mohawk Golf Club of Schenectady, where he makes his home. At the time of the World war he was made director of the second district for the Students Army Training Corps. Actuated at all times by devotion to lofty ideals and to a notable sense of duty, he is indeed worthy to be counted among the leading divines and educators of this part of the state.