Abbott Lawrence

Abbott Lawrence (December 16, 1792–August 18, 1855) was an American businessman, politician, philanthropist, and the founder of Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Related Topics:
December 16 - 1792 - August 18 - 1855 - American - Lawrence, Massachusetts

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Born in Groton, Massachusetts, son of Revolutionay War officer Samuel Lawrence, he attended Groton Academy, (now Lawrence Academy at Groton.) Upon his graduation in 1808, Lawrence became an apprentice to his brother, Amos Lawrence, a Boston merchant who specialized in imports from Britain and China. The Lawrence brothers soon formed a partnership, and expanded their interests to textile manufacturing. Doing so, they became extraordinarily wealthy. Many cite the Lawrence brothers as founders of New England's dominant textile industry.

Related Topics:
Groton, Massachusetts - Samuel Lawrence - Groton Academy - Lawrence Academy at Groton - 1808 - Amos Lawrence

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In the 1820s, Lawrence became a public figure--a vocal supporter of railroad construction for economic benefit, and in 1831 a member of the Boston Common Council. In 1834, Lawrence was elected as a Whig to the 24th Congress from Massachusetts. He was not a candidate for renomination to the 25th Congress, but was re-elected to the 26th Congress. In 1842, he was appointed commissioner to settle the Northeastern Boundary Dispute between Canada and the United States.

Related Topics:
1820s - Railroad - 1834 - Whig - 24th Congress - 25th Congress - 26th Congress - 1842 - Northeastern Boundary Dispute - Canada - United States

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In 1848, Lawrence was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice-presidential nomination on the Whig ticket, headed by Zachary Taylor. With Taylor's victory, Lawrence was offered his choice of several positions in the new administration. He chose the post of minister to Great Britain after rejecting a Cabinet appointment. He filled that position with distinction and was involved in the negotiations of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, among other significant diplomatic ventures. He resigned in 1852 and returned to the United States to join the presidential campaign of Gen. Winfield Scott; however, he soon grew dissatisfied with the Whig stand on slavery.

Related Topics:
1848 - Zachary Taylor - Great Britain - Clayton-Bulwer Treaty - 1852 - Winfield Scott

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Lawrence was active in Boston's Unitarian Church and interested in social measures, such as education for the lower classes. He was also a generous benefactor to a number of causes. He supported Lawrence Academy, lowcost housing for wage earners in Boston, and the Boston Public Library. He also provided funds to establish the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard College. He died in Boston on Aug. 18, 1855, and was interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Related Topics:
Unitarian Church - Boston Public Library - Lawrence Scientific School - Harvard College - Mount Auburn Cemetery - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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His nephew, Amos Adams Lawrence is also well-known.

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