The Life of Mr. Flint, Charles Stewart Mott. Charles Stewart Mott (1875-1973) was an American businessman and philanthropist born in Flint, Michigan. He is best known for his involvement in the automobile industry and his philanthropic work.
Mott began his career as a clerk in his family's business, which manufactured carriage and automobile parts. He eventually took over the company and expanded it into a major parts supplier to the automotive industry. Mott was also involved in developing the Chevrolet Motor Company, founded by his friend and business partner, William C. Durant.
In addition to his business pursuits, Mott was a philanthropist and supported several charitable causes. He was particularly interested in education and helped establish several schools and universities, including Flint College (now known as the University of Michigan-Flint) and Kettering University, which was named in honor of Charles Kettering, another automotive pioneer.
Mott was also active in local and national politics and served on several boards and committees throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honors for his business and philanthropic endeavors and was widely respected and admired for his contributions to society.
This is Part Two of an interview with C.S. Mott biographer Ed Renehan who shares remarkable stories from The life of "Mr. Flint" Charles Stewart Mott. Renehan's book "The Life of Charles Stewart Mott" is a comprehensive look at the life of one of the world's most successful American capitalists. The interview covers Mr. Mott's career, family life, travels, hobbies, devotion to the Flint community, and philanthropy.
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Ed Renehan's critically-acclaimed books published under his name include:
- Deliberate Evil: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Daniel Webster,
- The 1830 Murder of a Salem Slave Trader (Chicago Review Press, 2022)
- Dark Genius of Wall Street: The Misunderstood Life of Jay Gould, King of the Robber Barons (Basic Books, 2006)
- The Kennedys at War (Doubleday, 2001)
- The Lion's Pride (Oxford University Press, 1998).
- The Life of Charles Stewart Mott (University of Michigan Press, 2019)
- John Burroughs: An American Naturalist (Black Dome Press, 1992)
- The Secret Six (Crown, 1994).
- Ed Rehehan has appeared on PBS's The American Experience, NPR, and C-Span's BookTV and has written for publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to The San Francisco Chronicle.
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Books About Charles Stewart Mott:
- The Life of Charles Stewart Mott, published by University of Michigan Press, 2019, is available at local bookstores in Flint, Michigan, and major book retailers.
- Foundation for Living, by Clarence H. Young and William Grim, published by McGraw-Hill, 1963
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Learn more about C.S. Mott by visiting the following:
- Charles Stewart Mott, Wikipedia
- History and Founder-Mott Foundation Biography published by the C.S. Mott Foundation
- Michigan Historical Review Article on the Life of Charles Stewart Mott
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