Charles Lang Freer was an American industrialist and art collector, best known for founding the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.. Born in 1854 in Michigan, he made his fortune in the railroad and steel industries, which allowed him to pursue his passion for art. Freer was particularly interested in Asian art, especially Chinese and Japanese works, as well as American artists like James McNeill Whistler. His extensive collection, which he donated to the Smithsonian Institution, reflects his belief in the importance of art in fostering cultural understanding.