Samuel G. Arnold
Encyclopedia
Samuel Greene Arnold, Jr. (April 12, 1821 February 14, 1880) was a United States Senator from Rhode Island
. Born in Providence, Rhode Island
, he received his early education under private tutors, and graduated from Brown University
in 1841 and, in 1845, the law department of Harvard University
, gaining admission to the bar
that year. He was a lawyer and historian, and was trustee of Brown University from 1848 to 1880.
He married his cousin, Louisa Gindrat Arnold (1828–1905), the daughter of his father's uncle, Richard J. Arnold (1796–1873). Of Louisa he wrote that "...I have brought up my cousin for years to make her my wife, for I am so fastidious & particular on that matter that I knew I never should find a lady to suit me in all respects unless I educated her for the purpose. This is an original idea to be sure..."
of Rhode Island in 1852 and served as Acting Governor. In 1859, He was elected an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
.He was a member of the peace commission held at Washington, D.C.
in 1861 in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.
In March 1861 Arnold was again elected Lieutenant-Governor after being nominated by the Constitutional Union
and Democratic
Conventions. Arnold was again elected Lieutenant-Governor in 1862. During the Civil War
he raised a company of light artillery which went to Washington D.C. and was mustered into the Union Army
. He was elected as a Republican
to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James F. Simmons
, and served from December 1, 1862, to March 4, 1863. After his time in the Senate he returned to historical research and was president of the Rhode Island Historical Society from 1868 to 1880. Arnold died in Providence in 1880; interment was in Swan Point Cemetery.
Theodore Francis Green, Samuel Arnold's grandnephew, was also a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island.
Samuel Greene Arnold was the author of the 2-volume History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations published in 1859-60.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Born in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, he received his early education under private tutors, and graduated from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1841 and, in 1845, the law department of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, gaining admission to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
that year. He was a lawyer and historian, and was trustee of Brown University from 1848 to 1880.
He married his cousin, Louisa Gindrat Arnold (1828–1905), the daughter of his father's uncle, Richard J. Arnold (1796–1873). Of Louisa he wrote that "...I have brought up my cousin for years to make her my wife, for I am so fastidious & particular on that matter that I knew I never should find a lady to suit me in all respects unless I educated her for the purpose. This is an original idea to be sure..."
Career
Arnold was elected lieutenant governorLieutenant Governors of Rhode Island
The current lieutenant governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is Elizabeth H. Roberts.In Rhode Island, the lieutenant governor and governor of Rhode Island are elected on separate tickets.- Deputy Governors of the Colony of Rhode Island :...
of Rhode Island in 1852 and served as Acting Governor. In 1859, He was elected an Associate 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...
.He was a member of the peace commission held at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1861 in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.
In March 1861 Arnold was again elected Lieutenant-Governor after being nominated by the Constitutional Union
Constitutional Union Party (United States)
The Constitutional Union Party was a political party in the United States created in 1860. It was made up of conservative former Whigs who wanted to avoid disunion over the slavery issue...
and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Conventions. Arnold was again elected Lieutenant-Governor in 1862. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
he raised a company of light artillery which went to Washington D.C. and was mustered into the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James F. Simmons
James F. Simmons
James Fowler Simmons was a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Born on a farm near Little Compton, he attended a private school in Newport and moved to Providence in 1812. He was employed in various manufacturing concerns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and engaged in the manufacture of...
, and served from December 1, 1862, to March 4, 1863. After his time in the Senate he returned to historical research and was president of the Rhode Island Historical Society from 1868 to 1880. Arnold died in Providence in 1880; interment was in Swan Point Cemetery.
Theodore Francis Green, Samuel Arnold's grandnephew, was also a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island.
Samuel Greene Arnold was the author of the 2-volume History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations published in 1859-60.