Charles F. Binns Collection

Historical Context

Charles Fergus Binns (1857-1934) was a ceramist, educator, and art administrator. He was born in England in 1857 where his father was a co-managing director of the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works. From 1900 until his retirement in 1931, Charles F. Binns was Director of the New York State School of Clayworking and Ceramics at Alfred University. Binns was a frequent contributor to ceramic periodicals and publications including monthly columns of technical advice. He helped found the American Ceramics Society in 1899 and served as its president in 1901 and secretary from 1918 to 1922. Among the awards Binns received for his work in art pottery and glazes are the Logan Medal from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1919 and the Medal of the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts in 1922.