Dunbar, Charles E. (Charles Edward), b. 1888. | Tulane University Special Collections

Charles E. Dunbar (1888-1959) was the founder of the Louisiana Civil Service League and was responsible for leading the effort to establish a classified workforce that would be governed through merit system principles. Dunbar's pursuit of civil service was a response to end the past practices of political patronage in the awarding of state and municipal government jobs. Dunbar was instrumental in the passage of two civil service laws in Louisiana in 1940 and 1952. He was the first chairman of the Louisiana State Civil Service Commission, having served from 1940-1947.

Dunbar served on the executive board of the American Bar Association, as president of the Louisiana Bar Association, and as a trustee of the Southwestern Legal Foundation. He also served on the board of advisory editors of the Tulane Law Review from its inception until his death in 1959. In 1941, he was the vice-president of the National Civil Service League. From 1923-1925, he was the president of the Tulane Alumni Association and was a faculty member at the Tulane Law School. In 1958, Dunbar was recognized as "Mr. Civil Service of North America" by the Public Personnel Association.