Theodore Foster
Encyclopedia
Theodore Foster was an American
politician
. He was a member of the Federalist Party and later the National Republican Party. He served as one of the first two United States Senators from Rhode Island and, following John Langdon
, served as dean of the Senate. He was the elder brother of Senator Dwight Foster
.
in 1752. His father was Judge Jedediah Foster, who graduated from Harvard University
in 1744. He engaged in classical studies
at the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (now known as Brown University
), graduating in 1770. He then studied law
and lived with fellow student Solomon Drowne
. He was admitted to the bar association
and remained in Rhode Island
to practice law. Foster was a protege of Brown University's first chancellor, Chief Justice of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and revolutionary patriot Stephen Hopkins
. Foster married the sister of the future governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Arthur Fenner
.http://www.gaspee.org/TheodoreFoster.htm
of 1775, along with John Brown
and others, which helped catalyze events
leading to up to the American Revolutionary War
. Foster distinguished himself as a staunch supporter of General George Washington
and the Federalist cause.
, beginning his service on 7 June 1790. Rhode Island's state legislature reappointed him in 1791 and 1797, and he served until March 4, 1803 when he retired from public life to engage in writing and historical research. Foster became a passionate collector of numerous documents relating to colonial Providence. He helped found the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1822. Foster's heirs sold his extensive collection of historical documents to the Society in 1833. Many of these documents are unpublished.
During the latter period, Foster also served as a trustee
of Brown University. Foster returned to public life to serve in the Rhode Island state legislature from 1812 to 1816. He lived in the town of Foster, Rhode Island
, which was named after him. When Solomon Drowne moved back to Rhode Island he lived on a farm (Mt. Hygeia
) next to Foster's. Foster died in 1828.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was a member of the Federalist Party and later the National Republican Party. He served as one of the first two United States Senators from Rhode Island and, following John Langdon
John Langdon
John Langdon was a politician from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and one of the first two United States senators from that state. Langdon was an early supporter of the Revolutionary War and later served in the Continental Congress...
, served as dean of the Senate. He was the elder brother of Senator Dwight Foster
Dwight Foster (Massachusetts)
Dwight Foster was an American lawyer and politician from Brookfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at Providence in 1774.He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and represented Massachusetts in both...
.
Early life
Foster was born in Brookfield, MassachusettsBrookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,390 at the 2010 census.-History:Brookfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1718...
in 1752. His father was Judge Jedediah Foster, who graduated from 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...
in 1744. He engaged in classical studies
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
at the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (now known as 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 ,...
), graduating in 1770. He then studied law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
and lived with fellow student Solomon Drowne
Solomon Drowne
Dr. Solomon Drowne was a prominent American physician, academic and surgeon during the American Revolution and in the history of the fledgling United States.- Early life :...
. He was admitted to the bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
and remained in Rhode Island
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...
to practice law. Foster was a protege of Brown University's first chancellor, Chief Justice of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and revolutionary patriot Stephen Hopkins
Stephen Hopkins (politician)
Stephen Hopkins was an American political leader from Rhode Island who signed the Declaration of Independence. He served as the Chief Justice and Governor of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and was a Delegate to the Colonial Congress in Albany in 1754 and to the...
. Foster married the sister of the future governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Arthur Fenner
Arthur Fenner
Arthur Fenner served as the fourth Governor of Rhode Island from 1790 until his death in 1805 and was a prominent Country Party leader...
.http://www.gaspee.org/TheodoreFoster.htm
American Revolution
Theodore Foster played a role in the Gaspee AffairGaspée Affair
The Gaspée Affair was a significant event in the lead-up to the American Revolution. The HMS Gaspée, a British customs schooner that had been enforcing unpopular trade regulations, ran aground in shallow water on June 9, 1772, near what is now known as Gaspee Point in the city of Warwick, Rhode...
of 1775, along with John Brown
John Brown (Rhode Island)
John Brown I was an American merchant, slave trader, and statesman from Providence, Rhode Island. In 1764, John Brown joined his brothers Nicholas Brown and Moses Brown as well as William Ellery, the Baptist Reverend James Manning, the Baptist Reverend Isaac Backus, the Congregationalist Reverend...
and others, which helped catalyze events
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
leading to up to the 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...
. Foster distinguished himself as a staunch supporter of General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and the Federalist cause.
Later life
Until 1790 Foster held various positions in the government of Rhode Island. He was then appointed to the United States SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, beginning his service on 7 June 1790. Rhode Island's state legislature reappointed him in 1791 and 1797, and he served until March 4, 1803 when he retired from public life to engage in writing and historical research. Foster became a passionate collector of numerous documents relating to colonial Providence. He helped found the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1822. Foster's heirs sold his extensive collection of historical documents to the Society in 1833. Many of these documents are unpublished.
During the latter period, Foster also served as a trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
of Brown University. Foster returned to public life to serve in the Rhode Island state legislature from 1812 to 1816. He lived in the town of Foster, Rhode Island
Foster, Rhode Island
Foster is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, in the United States. The population was 4,606 at the 2010 census.- History :Foster was originally settled in the 17th century by British colonists as a farming community...
, which was named after him. When Solomon Drowne moved back to Rhode Island he lived on a farm (Mt. Hygeia
Mt. Hygeia
Mt. Hygeia is an historic farm in Foster, Rhode Island that was home to Dr. Solomon Drowne.-History:...
) next to Foster's. Foster died in 1828.