Arthur Bestor

Bestor, Arthur Eugene, Sr., (1880-1944). American educator and civic leader.

From 1915 to 1944, Bestor served as president of the Chautauqua Institution an educational, performing arts, and nonsectarian religious summer colony located on Lake Chautauqua in western New York State. During his tenure as president of Chautauqua, the scope of the institution grew enormously from its 19th century origins as a Christian summer camp into a setting where national leaders addressed important public issues; for example's Franklin Delano Roosevelt's speech "I hate war."

Bestor Plaza, the town square of Chautauqua is named in his memory.

Bestor married Jeannette Lemon. Their elder son, Arthur Eugene Bestor, Jr. (1908-1994) was a noted American historian. Their daughter, Mary Frances Bestor Cram (1912 - ), became a leader in the American Baptist Church and the National YWCA movement. Their younger son, Charles Lemon Bestor (1923 - ), is a composer of electonic music and educator.