Founders

On February 4, 1870, the Massachusetts legislature passed an act establishing “a body corporate by the name of the Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts for the purpose of erecting a museum for the preservation and exhibition of works of art, of making, maintaining, and exhibiting collections of such works, and of affording instruction in the Fine Arts.” The act of incorporation named twelve men of substantial position in the educational and financial activities of Boston to take up this challenge—and they succeeded.

It is with unending gratitude that we continue to recognize them as Founders and those who have most generously continued their good works as Benefactors of the Museum of Fine Arts.

Martin Brimmer

Charles C. Perkins

Charles W. Eliot

William Endicott Jr.

Samuel Eliot

Francis E. Parker

Henry P. Kidder

William B. Rogers

George B. Emerson

Otis Norcross

John T. Bradlee

Benjamin S. Rotch