(Aug. 23, 1926-May 19, 2011). A native of South Bend, Indiana, and a graduate of the University of Chicago, Robert L. Payton’s greatest impact on Indianapolis was his role in establishing philanthropy as a field of academic study at and beyond.
Payton had a varied career in journalism, academics, philanthropy, and service. During World War II, he was a paratrooper. Following the conflict, he began his career as a journalist. In 1957, he became editor of the Washington University magazine, where in just four years he was promoted several times to the level of the vice chancellor. He briefly left academia during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson to become a special assistant to the under-secretary of state for administration from 1966 to 1967. He then served as ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon from 1967 to 1969.
Payton returned to academia as the president of C. W. Post College (1970-1973) and Hofstra University (1973-1976). He was president of the Exxon Education Foundation between 1977 and 1987, where he encouraged the academic study of philanthropy. In 1987 he came to Indianapolis as a consultant to the newly formed IU Center on Philanthropy, which became the in 2012. He became founding director of the Center in 1988 and retired from this position in 1998. He also was the first full-time professor of Philanthropic Studies. He taught actively through 2003.
He and his wife Pauline founded the Joseph and Matthew Payton Philanthropic Studies Library at IUPUI in memory of their two sons. It is the only library dedicated to collecting on philanthropy.
Payton was a prolific writer and published frequently throughout his career. He received honorary doctorates from Adelphi University, MacMurray College, York College of Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac College, and Indiana University. The University of Chicago awarded him its Alumni Medal in 1988. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education honored him with its Service to Education Award in 1984.
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