Charles Shackleton

Charles Shackleton grew up in Ireland and is a descendant of the Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Even in childhood he enjoyed studying furniture and making small pieces. After art college, Charles came to America to work as a glassblower for Simon Pearce, but the urge to build furniture never left him. He started out in his basement before moving his growing business to a converted mill in Vermont.  Charles has been named Woodworker of the Year for 2006 by the Vermont Wood Manufacturer’s Association, and is the president of Charles Shackleton & Miranda Thomas Ltd. in Bridgewater, Vermont. Charles also designed a bench specifically for the Chicago Botanical Gardens, which has since ordered more than 150 of the benches to display throughout the gardens.