John Boyd Thacher
Encyclopedia
John Boyd Thacher was the Mayor of Albany, New York
and New York State Senator as well as an American
manufacturer, writer, and book collector. He was the son of Albany mayor, George Thacher, and the uncle of Albany mayor, John Boyd Thacher II
.
John Boyd Thacher was born in Ballston, New York
, graduated from Williams College
in 1869 and settled in Albany, New York. He became an active scholar in writing after college and also became active in his father's business, the Thacher Car Wheel Works, which was one of the leading industries in Albany. When his father died in 1887, John and his brother George became proprietors of the business.
in 1883 and then was elected mayor of Albany, serving from May 4, 1886 to April 20, 1888. In 1890, President of the United States
Benjamin Harrison
appointed Thacher to be a member of the World's Columbian Exposition
. Several years later, Thacher was elected mayor of Albany again, serving from January 1, 1896 to December 31, 1897.
The French Revolution autograph publication highlighted Thacher's extensive collection of autographs which also included those of every signer of the United States Declaration of Independence
.
Thacher purchased a large plot of land in central Albany County, New York
which his widow, Emma Treadwell Thacher, donated to the state in 1914, and is now known as John Boyd Thacher State Park
.
John Boyd Thacher is interred in Albany Rural Cemetery
.
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and New York State Senator as well as an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
manufacturer, writer, and book collector. He was the son of Albany mayor, George Thacher, and the uncle of Albany mayor, John Boyd Thacher II
John Boyd Thacher II
John Boyd Thacher II was the Mayor of Albany, New York from 1926 to 1941. He was the nephew of Albany mayor John Boyd Thacher and grandson of another Albany mayor, George H. Thacher....
.
John Boyd Thacher was born in Ballston, New York
Ballston, New York
Ballston is a town in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 8,729 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from an early settler, Eliphalet Ball.The Town of Ballston is in the south part of the County and is north of Schenectady....
, graduated from Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in 1869 and settled in Albany, New York. He became an active scholar in writing after college and also became active in his father's business, the Thacher Car Wheel Works, which was one of the leading industries in Albany. When his father died in 1887, John and his brother George became proprietors of the business.
Politics
Thacher became interested in politics and public life and was elected to the New York State SenateNew York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
in 1883 and then was elected mayor of Albany, serving from May 4, 1886 to April 20, 1888. In 1890, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
appointed Thacher to be a member of the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
. Several years later, Thacher was elected mayor of Albany again, serving from January 1, 1896 to December 31, 1897.
Writing
An authority on U.S. history, Thacher's publications include:- The Continent of America, Its Discovery and Its Baptism; An Essay on the Nomenclature of the Old Continents, etc. (1896)
- A drama, Charlecote: or the Trial of William Shakespeare (1896)
- The Cabotian Discovery (1897)
- Christopher Columbus, His Life, His Works, His Remains, together with an Essay on Peter Martyr of Anghera and Bartolomé de las Casas, the first Historians of America (two volumes, 1903)
- Outlines of the French Revolution told in Autographs (1905)
The French Revolution autograph publication highlighted Thacher's extensive collection of autographs which also included those of every signer of the United States Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
.
Thacher purchased a large plot of land in central Albany County, New York
Albany County, New York
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
which his widow, Emma Treadwell Thacher, donated to the state in 1914, and is now known as John Boyd Thacher State Park
John Boyd Thacher State Park
John Boyd Thacher State Park is a state park located 15 miles southwest of Albany, New York near Voorheesville, in Albany County on State Route 157...
.
John Boyd Thacher is interred in Albany Rural Cemetery
Albany Rural Cemetery
The Albany Rural Cemetery was established October 7, 1844, in Menands, New York, just outside of the city of Albany, New York. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful, pastoral cemeteries in the United States, at over . Many historical American figures are buried there.-History:On April 2,...
.