Rutter, Jr., William Ives

William Ives Rutter, Jr., was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania on October 12, 1871. After graduating from St. Stephen’s College in Annandale, New York (now Bard College), he returned to Philadelphia and entered into the banking profession before joining an accounting firm in 1901.

A member of St. Mary’s Church, Hamilton Village, Philadelphia, Rutter where served as a lay leader for forty years, first on the vestry and later as warden. Rutter is best known for his contributions to church history and as a manuscript collector. In addition to being a member of the diocesan historical committee and several other local historical associations, such as the Church Club of Philadelphia and the St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia, Rutter was a charter member of the Church Historical Society (CHS), where he he served as secretary from its founding on May 17, 1910 until his retirement on January 18, 1951. His collection of autographed letters and other works added significantly to the special collections archives being acquired by the CHS. On June 16, 1947, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Canon Law from Bexley Hall, Kenyon College for his work in church history.

William Ives Rutter died in Philadelphia on May 11, 1952.