Charles Maclay

Charles Maclay (November 9, 1822 – July 19, 1890) was a California state senator and is known for his act of purchasing a 56,000 acre land grant in 1874, what was known as San Fernando Rancho, and using the land to found the city of San Fernando, California in the San Fernando Valley.

He was the brother of Robert Samuel Maclay, a pioneer missionary to China; and the uncle of Robert Maclay Widney, a founder of the University of Southern California, and of Joseph Widney, the second president of the University of Southern California.

[2] In 1867, when the seat held by State Senator William J. Knox came open after Knox's unexpected death, The San Jose Mercury, campaigned for Maclay with the popular song "Wha'll be King but Charlie?"

")[1] In 1874, Maclay purchased a 56,000 acre land grant in 1874, what was known as San Fernando Rancho.

[3] After his death it became an affiliate and moved to the campus of the University of Southern California before becoming the Claremont School of Theology in 1957.