-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LdZLwUPqHwnACq4ynGr+MVCjjTg4HfHqdrgCVqZdbtBbCHmWj0HKJdAqrhdlsRUW
 F4dLvYeaJ1gSD2TSi7WrUw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000895813-09-000211.txt : 20091110
<SEC-HEADER>0000895813-09-000211.hdr.sgml : 20091110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091110192732
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000895813-09-000211
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091110
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OSBORN WILLIAM A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001171797

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-05965
		FILM NUMBER:		091173367

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 NE ADAMS STREET
		CITY:			PEORIA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61629

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHERN TRUST CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000073124
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				362723087
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 S LASALLE ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60603
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3126306000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 S LASALLE ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60603

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NORTRUST CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19780525
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-11-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000073124</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHERN TRUST CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NTRS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001171797</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OSBORN WILLIAM A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>50 SOUTH LASALLE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60603</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former Chairman of the Board</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>The Reporting Person ceased being an officer on November 10, 2009.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul A. Bernacki, Attorney-in-Fact for William A. Osborn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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