William Emerson Barrett
Encyclopedia
William Emerson Barrett (December 29, 1858-February 12, 1906) was an American journalist and politician.
Barrett was a founder of The Boston Evening Record
, and served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
and as a United States Representative from Massachusetts
.
Barrett was born in Melrose
, Massachusetts
on December 29, 1858. He attended public schools, and graduated from Dartmouth College
in 1880. He was assistant editor of the St. Albans Daily Messenger, then joining the staff of The Boston Daily Advertiser
. He was Washington
correspondent of the newspaper 1882-1886. He was recalled to Boston
to become editor in chief. In 1888 Barrett was promoted to chief proprietor and manager of The Boston Daily Advertiser and The Boston Evening Record
.
Barrett was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from 1887–1892 and served as speaker the last five years. He was elected as a Republican
to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1895-March 3, 1899). He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1898, and returned to Boston and resumed active management of his newspaper interests. Barrett served as president of the Union Trust Co. of Boston.
Barrett died of pneumonia in West Newton, Massachusetts
on February 12, 1906. His interment was in Newton Cemetery.
Barrett was a founder of The Boston Evening Record
The Boston Record
The Boston Record was founded on September 3, 1884 by The Boston Daily Advertiser as an evening campaign newspaper. The Record was so popular that it was made a permanent publication.-Bibliography:...
, and served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
and as a United States Representative from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Barrett was born in Melrose
Melrose, Massachusetts
-Government:Robert J. Dolan is the mayor. Melrose is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by Paul Brodeur . Katherine Clark is the state senator for wards 1 through 5 and Thomas McGee is the state senator for wards 6 and 7. Melrose is part of the seventh Congressional...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
on December 29, 1858. He attended public schools, and graduated from Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in 1880. He was assistant editor of the St. Albans Daily Messenger, then joining the staff of The Boston Daily Advertiser
Boston Daily Advertiser
The Boston Daily Advertiser was the first daily newspaper in Boston, and for many years the only daily paper in Boston.-History:...
. He was Washington
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....
correspondent of the newspaper 1882-1886. He was recalled to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to become editor in chief. In 1888 Barrett was promoted to chief proprietor and manager of The Boston Daily Advertiser and The Boston Evening Record
The Boston Record
The Boston Record was founded on September 3, 1884 by The Boston Daily Advertiser as an evening campaign newspaper. The Record was so popular that it was made a permanent publication.-Bibliography:...
.
Barrett was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
from 1887–1892 and served as speaker the last five years. 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 Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1895-March 3, 1899). He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1898, and returned to Boston and resumed active management of his newspaper interests. Barrett served as president of the Union Trust Co. of Boston.
Barrett died of pneumonia in West Newton, Massachusetts
West Newton, Massachusetts
West Newton is a village of the City of Newton, Massachusetts and is one of the oldest of the thirteen Newton villages. The postal code 02465 roughly matches the village limits.-Location:...
on February 12, 1906. His interment was in Newton Cemetery.
See also
- Massachusetts State HouseMassachusetts State HouseThe Massachusetts State House, also known as the Massachusetts Statehouse or the "New" State House, is the state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is located in Boston in the neighborhood Beacon Hill...
- Massachusetts SenateMassachusetts SenateThe Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
- Massachusetts General CourtMassachusetts General CourtThe Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
- Massachusetts Government
- List of Speakers of the Massachusetts House of Representatives