Charles Revson*
Class of 1950
- Chairman of the Board & President Revlon Corporation
Be creative in your chosen field and be a perfectionist in all fields.
Charles Revson was born in 1906 in Somerville, Massachusetts, and grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, where his father worked as a cigar roller.
After graduating from high school, Revson moved to Boston and went to work for a cosmetics company, Elka. When he failed to get a promotion he thought he deserved, he went into business for himself, partnering with his brother, Martin, and chemist Charles Lachman, to create Revlon.
In 1932, the company specialized in nail polish. Later, the product line was expanded to include matching lipstick, other makeup, and perfume. Revson served as president of Revlon from 1932 to 1962 and then as chairman until his death.