Charles E. Sprague

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This article is about Charles E. Sprague, the accountant. For the Oregon Governor, see Charles A. Sprague

Charles Ezra Sprague (1842–1912) was an American accountant. He was known as a Civil War hero, and as a proponent of the constructed language Volapük, for which he authored the first major textbook in English (1888), as well as an early organizer of the accounting profession.

He was president of both the New York Institute of Accounts and the Union Dime Savings Bank (which would later become the Dime Savings Bank). Later in life, he was involved in the movement for reform of English spelling.

During the Civil War, Sprague served in the 44th New York Infantry, seeing action at the Battle of Gettysburg, where his unit was instrumental in helping repulse attacks on Little Round Top. The New York State Archives stores a lengthy article Sprague wrote on his military service.

[edit] External links

• Civil War service and biography
• A historical article on the early history of accountancy certification which mentions Sprague's involvement
• Sprague's Handbook of Volapük