Ruth Fox was an American philanthropist and socialite. She was born in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist and was educated at the prestigious Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut. Fox was a major benefactor of the arts, donating to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Opera. She was also a major supporter of the Chicago Public Library, donating funds to build the Ruth Fox Branch in 1929. Fox was a member of the Chicago Women's Club and the Chicago Literary Club. She was also a member of the Chicago Historical Society and the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Fox died in 1965, leaving behind a legacy of philanthropy and social activism.