Austin Homer (1896-1974) was president of J.E. Caldwell Company, jewelers, silversmiths, and antiquarians in Philadelphia. Homer was a well-known business executive and was recognized as one of the nation's foremost authorities on contemporary and antique silver. He was also involved in designing children's toys.

A native of Philadelphia, Homer spent his entire business career with the Caldwell firm. Beginning as a stockboy in 1913, he rose rapidly to become a salesman and then a buyer and head of the sterling and antique silver departments. In 1941, he was elected secretary of the company. He served for a year and a half as executive vice president prior to his appointment as president in 1952. Homer held that position until 1963, when he was named vice chairman of the board. After retiring as president, he acted as an independent silver consultant and remained a director for several years.

Homer attended the University of Pennsylvania, but did not earn a degree. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I. During the 1920s and 1930s, he worked closely with former Caldwell president, Charles W. Oakford, in developing the antique silver business. Homer made frequent trips to England and Europe in search of rare antique items. He was recognized as an expert in the field and helped to form many silver collections. He also advised several large manufacturing firms on the design of contemporary flatware and holloware. For many years, he served on the jury for an annual national contest for original silver design sponsored by the Silversmiths Guild of America.

The J.E. Caldwell Company prospered under his direction. Homer was responsible for establishing branch stores at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1953, and in Haverford, Pennsylvania, in 1954. In addition to expanding the antique silver business, Homer founded the store's antique furniture department, for which he made many purchases on his European trips.

During the 1940s, Homer became involved in designing children's toys. He held patents on several popular toys which were manufactured by the Plakie Corporation, Youngstown, Ohio.