Ernest Percy Bicknell, 1862-1935, was vice-chairman of the American Red Cross. Bicknell, born near Bicknell, Indiana, on 23 February 1862, graduated from Indiana University in 1887 and worked for six years as a newspaper reporter, primarily for The Indianapolis News. From 1893-1898 he served as secretary of the Indiana State Board of Charities, then moved to become general superintendent of the Chicago Bureau of Charities. Following the April 1906 San Francisco earthquake Bicknell was commissioned to represent the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois in supervising the distribution of relief funds collected in the Chicago area. It was in this capacity that he first became associated with the American Red Cross and in 1907 was appointed as one of five delegates from the United States to the International Red Cross conference in London. The following year he began his long administrative association with the American Red Cross, first as National Director of Civilian Relief, headquartered in Washington, D.C., 1908-1917, and later as Vice Chairman for Insular and Foreign Operations which position he held until his death in 1935. Both during and following World War I Bicknell spent long periods in Europe studying the relief needs of several countries and numerous refugees. In recognition of his tireless efforts to relieve distress and suffering among various peoples of Europe he received many medals and decorations including the Order of the Crown of Belgium, Order of the Legion of Honor of France, Order of the Crown of Italy, Order of St. Anne of Russia, etc.

Bicknell married twice: first in 1886 to Cora Scott of Freelandville, Indiana, who died in 1888 leaving a son, Clarence Scott Bicknell, and second to Grace Vawter (1864-1952) of Indianapolis in 1891, with whom he had four daughters. Bicknell died in Indianapolis on 29 September 1935 at the age of 73.