Abbott Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Abbott Lawrence was a prominent American
businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He founded Lawrence, Massachusetts
.
, the son of American Revolutionary War
officer Samuel Lawrence
, Abbott Lawrence attended Groton Academy, (now Lawrence Academy at Groton
.) Upon his graduation in 1808, Lawrence became an apprentice to his brother, Amos
, as chief clerk in his brother's firm. On the conclusion of his apprenticeship, in 1814, the Lawrences formed a partnership, specializing in imports from Britain and China, and later expanded their interests to textile manufacturing. Initially called A. & A. Lawrence, the firm later was named A. & A. Lawrence and Co. It continued until Amos's death, and became the greatest wholesale mercantile house in the United States
. It was successful even in the hard times of 1812-1815
.
The firm did much for the establishment of the cotton textile industry in New England
. In 1830, it came to the aid of financially distressed mills of Lowell, Massachusetts
. In that year, the Suffolk, Tremont and Lawrence companies were established in Lowell, and Luther Lawrence, the eldest brother, represented the firm's interests there. When Amos retired from the business in 1831 due to ill health, Abbott became head of the firm. In 1845-1847, the firm established and built up Lawrence, Massachusetts
, named in honour of Abbott, who was a director of the Essex Company, which controlled the water power of Lawrence, and later was president of the Atlantic Cotton Mills and Pacific Mills there. Many cite the Lawrence brothers as the founders of New England's influential textile industry.
In the 1820s, Lawrence became a prominent public figure—a vocal supporter of railroad construction for economic benefit, a very controversial stance at the time. He was an ardent protectionist, and represented Massachusetts at the Harrisburg convention in 1827. In 1834, Lawrence was elected to the 24th Congress
, as a Whig from Massachusetts. He did not run 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
. He took an active part in the presidential campaign of 1844 as a supporter of Henry Clay
, as he had done four years previously in the election of William Henry Harrison
, and was a presidential elector in that year. Lawrence was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 1847.
In 1848, Lawrence was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice-presidency on the Whig ticket, headed by Zachary Taylor
. With Taylor's presidential victory, he offered Lawrence a choice of administrative positions. After rejecting a cabinet appointment, Lawrence chose the post of minister to Great Britain. He was involved in the negotiations of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
. He resigned in October 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, and estranged himself from the party.
Lawrence was active in Boston's Unitarian Church
. He actively promoted education for lower-class citizens, and donated money to various causes. He supported Lawrence Academy, affordable housing in Boston, and the Boston Public Library
. He also provided $50,000 to establish the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard College
, and provided a similar sum in his will for the School. He died in Boston on August 18, 1855, aged 62, and was interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery
, Cambridge, Massachusetts
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He founded Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
.
Biography
Born in Groton, MassachusettsGroton, Massachusetts
Groton is a town located in northwestern Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The population was 10,646 at the 2010 census. It is home to two noted prep schools: Groton School, founded in 1884, and Lawrence Academy at Groton, founded in 1793. The historic town hosts the National Shepley Hill Horse...
, the son of American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
officer Samuel Lawrence
Samuel Lawrence (revolutionary)
Samuel Lawrence was an American revolutionary from Groton, Massachusetts.Samuel Lawrence fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill under Henry Farwell who was killed there. Samuel served in the army for 3 and half years from 1775 to 1778, and rose within the U.S. Army to the rank of major. While in the...
, Abbott Lawrence attended Groton Academy, (now Lawrence Academy at Groton
Lawrence Academy at Groton
Lawrence Academy at Groton, , is a co-educational preparatory school located in Groton, Massachusetts, in the United States...
.) Upon his graduation in 1808, Lawrence became an apprentice to his brother, Amos
Amos Lawrence
Amos Lawrence, was an American merchant and philanthropist.-Biography:...
, as chief clerk in his brother's firm. On the conclusion of his apprenticeship, in 1814, the Lawrences formed a partnership, specializing in imports from Britain and China, and later expanded their interests to textile manufacturing. Initially called A. & A. Lawrence, the firm later was named A. & A. Lawrence and Co. It continued until Amos's death, and became the greatest wholesale mercantile house in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was successful even in the hard times of 1812-1815
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
The firm did much for the establishment of the cotton textile industry in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. In 1830, it came to the aid of financially distressed mills of Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
. In that year, the Suffolk, Tremont and Lawrence companies were established in Lowell, and Luther Lawrence, the eldest brother, represented the firm's interests there. When Amos retired from the business in 1831 due to ill health, Abbott became head of the firm. In 1845-1847, the firm established and built up Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
, named in honour of Abbott, who was a director of the Essex Company, which controlled the water power of Lawrence, and later was president of the Atlantic Cotton Mills and Pacific Mills there. Many cite the Lawrence brothers as the founders of New England's influential textile industry.
In the 1820s, Lawrence became a prominent public figure—a vocal supporter of railroad construction for economic benefit, a very controversial stance at the time. He was an ardent protectionist, and represented Massachusetts at the Harrisburg convention in 1827. In 1834, Lawrence was elected to the 24th Congress
24th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress one House seat was added for each of the new states of Arkansas and Michigan.-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Martin Van Buren * President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :...
, as a Whig from Massachusetts. He did not run for renomination to the 25th Congress
25th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Richard Mentor Johnson * President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :* Speaker: James K. Polk -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
, but was re-elected to the 26th Congress
26th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :*President: Richard M. Johnson *President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :*Speaker: Robert M.T. Hunter -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
. In 1842, he was appointed commissioner to settle the Northeastern Boundary Dispute between Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He took an active part in the presidential campaign of 1844 as a supporter of Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, as he had done four years previously in the election of William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
, and was a presidential elector in that year. Lawrence was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1847.
In 1848, Lawrence was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice-presidency on the Whig ticket, headed by Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
. With Taylor's presidential victory, he offered Lawrence a choice of administrative positions. After rejecting a cabinet appointment, Lawrence chose the post of minister to Great Britain. He was involved in the negotiations of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
The Clayton–Bulwer Treaty was a treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom, negotiated in 1850 by John M. Clayton and Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, later Lord Dalling...
. He resigned in October 1852, and returned to the United States to join the presidential campaign
United States presidential election, 1852
The United States presidential election of 1852 bore important similarities to the election of 1844. Once again, the incumbent president was a Whig who had succeeded to the presidency upon the death of his war-hero predecessor. In this case, it was Millard Fillmore who followed General Zachary Taylor...
of Gen. Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
; however, he soon grew dissatisfied with the Whig stand on slavery, and estranged himself from the party.
Lawrence was active in Boston's Unitarian Church
American Unitarian Association
The American Unitarian Association was a religious denomination in the United States and Canada, formed by associated Unitarian congregations in 1825. In 1961, it merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.According to Mortimer Rowe, the Secretary...
. He actively promoted education for lower-class citizens, and donated money to various causes. He supported Lawrence Academy, affordable housing in Boston, and the Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to...
. He also provided $50,000 to establish the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
, and provided a similar sum in his will for the School. He died in Boston on August 18, 1855, aged 62, and was interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831 as "America's first garden cemetery", or the first "rural cemetery", with classical monuments set in a rolling landscaped terrain...
, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
.