Charles Fayette Olney, born August 27, 1831 in Hartford, Connecticut, was the son of Jesse Olney, editor and publisher of Olney's Geography and Atlas, The National Preceptor, and school textbooks.

While preparing to attend Yale in 1848, he was offered and accepted the principalship of a grade school in Hartford. Although Olney had no other formal training, he established himself as a prominent figure in American education. Olney established a high school in Hartford, and later one in New York City. Olney was also active in the cause of "Popular Education" for nearly 30 years in New York and Connecticut. During this time, Olney aided in the founding of The New York Teacher's Association. He served as its president for 15 years.

In 1861, Olney married Louisa Brown. This union produced no children. She died in 1878. His second marriage to Abbie Bradley Lamson of Cleveland, Ohio, occurred in 1887. She died in January of 1904.

Olney was a person who gave to his community. He was actively involved in a number of clubs, institutions, and societies in Cleveland. In many of his civic- minded pursuits he held a leadership role. Chief among them: Vice President and Trustee of The Cleveland School of Art, President of Cleveland Brush and Palette Club, charter member and early president of the Cleveland Council of Sociology. Although he lived his early life in the Episcopalian faith, he converted to the Congregational denomination and became Deacon of Pilgrim Church on the west side of Cleveland. In this capacity, he delivered sermons and lectured as President of the Pilgrim Church Institute from its inception in 1894 to his death.

In Cleveland, Olney and his wife lived on Jennings Avenue (now West 25th St.). It was here that Olney initially displayed his art collection which he gathered from his trips abroad. As the collection grew, so too did his house. To the existing house, the Olneys added a structure resembling a Greek temple. This became the Olney Art Gallery which opened to the public in 1893. The gallery was open until 1907.

Olney's love of music, education and Christian ideals apparently drew him to Oberlin. An accomplished musician in his own right--he played the organ at Pilgrim Church, the Olneys would often travel to Oberlin to enjoy a concert.

Upon his death on July 18, 1903, in Hartford, Connecticut, he left the bulk of his art collection to Oberlin College. At that time, his collection was valued at approximately $250,000. In addition, Olney bequeathed $10,000 to Oberlin College with the stipulation that it would be "invested in good securities...[to be applied] to the care, maintenance, repair, and improvement of the Olney Collection in its new home."