Candler family

Candler family. An influential American dynasty primarily associated with the growth of The Coca-Cola Company and significant philanthropic endeavors in the Southern United States. Rising to prominence in the late 19th century through the business acumen of Asa Griggs Candler, the family's legacy is deeply intertwined with the development of Atlanta, Georgia, and major institutions like Emory University. Their contributions span Methodist philanthropy, real estate, and civic leadership, leaving a lasting imprint on the region's cultural and educational landscape.

Family history and origins

The family's roots trace to Carroll County, Georgia, where patriarch Samuel Charles Candler was a merchant and judge. His son, Asa Griggs Candler, moved to Atlanta in the 1870s, establishing himself as a successful pharmacist and businessman. The pivotal moment in the family's history occurred in 1888 when Asa Griggs Candler acquired the formula and rights to Coca-Cola from John Stith Pemberton and other partners. Through aggressive marketing and strategic business practices, he transformed the beverage into a national phenomenon, incorporating The Coca-Cola Company in 1892. This success provided the immense wealth that would fund the family's subsequent ventures and charitable works for generations, firmly establishing their base in Fulton County, Georgia.

Notable members

The most prominent figure is Asa Griggs Candler, who served as Mayor of Atlanta from 1916 to 1918. His eldest son, Charles Howard Candler, succeeded him as president of The Coca-Cola Company and was a longtime trustee of Emory University. Another son, Asa Griggs Candler Jr., was a noted businessman and philanthropist, though his life was marked by personal tragedy. Walter Turner Candler became a prominent banker and developer, while John Slaughter Candler served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia. Later generations included Charles Howard Candler Jr., a diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Luxembourg, and Martha Candler, who married into the influential Bankhead family of Alabama.

Business and philanthropy

Beyond Coca-Cola, the family diversified into banking, real estate development, and insurance, with holdings in the Trust Company of Georgia and vast land acquisitions. Their philanthropic impact is monumental, most notably through a transformative 1915 gift of land and an endowment to relocate Emory University from Oxford, Georgia to Atlanta. This established the campus in Druid Hills and led to the founding of the Emory University School of Medicine. Further benefactions included the Candler School of Theology, the Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, and substantial support for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Family foundations, such as the Charles Howard Candler Fund, continue to support educational and charitable causes.

Legacy and influence

The family's legacy is embedded in the infrastructure and institutions of Atlanta. Their wealth and vision helped shape the city's growth during the early 20th century, funding parks, roads, and public projects. The relocation of Emory University cemented Atlanta's status as a center for education and healthcare in the Southeastern United States. Their patronage of the arts is evidenced by venues like the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. While their direct control of The Coca-Cola Company ended with its sale to the Woodruff family in 1919, the Candler name remains synonymous with the beverage's foundational era and with transformative Methodist philanthropy across Georgia.

Family estates and properties

The family built several grand estates that are now historic landmarks. Asa Griggs Candler's primary residence was the "Candler Building" on Peachtree Street, but his country estate, Callanwolde, is a Tudor Revival mansion in Druid Hills that now operates as the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. His son, Asa Griggs Candler Jr., built the Lullwater Estate, a massive property surrounding a private lake on the present-day campus of Emory University. Other significant holdings included Briarcliff Manor, the expansive estate of Asa Griggs Candler Jr. that gave its name to the Briarcliff neighborhood, and numerous commercial properties like the historic Candler Building (Atlanta) downtown.