Exhibit 24

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT I, Robert S. Hamada, hereby
   constitute and appoint William A. Osborn, Barry G. Hastings, Perry R.
   Pero and Harry W. Short, or any of them, my true and lawful attorneys
   and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
   him and in his name, place and stead, to execute in my name and on my
   behalf, in all capacities as a Director of Northern Trust Corporation
   (the "Corporation"), a Registration Statement on Form S-8 and any
   amendments thereto (including, without limitation, post-effective
   amendments) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
   connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
   amended, of shares of common stock (including associated Preferred
   Stock Purchase Rights) under the Northern Trust Corporation Amended
   1992 Incentive Stock Plan.

             I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys, or any
   of them, have done or shall lawfully do by virtue of this Power of
   Attorney.

             WITNESS my hand this 15th day of April, 1997.


                                      /s/ Robert S. Hamada
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Robert S. Hamada