William M. Butler
Encyclopedia
William Morgan Butler was a lawyer and legislator for the State of Massachusetts
, and a United States Senator
.
Butler was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts
where he attended the public school and studied law. He was admitted to the State bar in 1883. After graduating from the law department of Boston University
in 1884, he practiced law in New Bedford until 1895. He was a member of the State house of representatives from 1890 to 1891, and a member of the State senate from 1892 to 1895, serving as its president in 1894 and 1895.
Butler moved to Boston in 1895, and continued the practice of law until 1912, when he engaged in the manufacture of cotton
goods. He was a member of the commission to revise the statutes of Massachusetts from 1896 to 1900, and was chairman of the Republican National Committee
from 1924 to 1928.
On November 13, 1924, Butler was appointed as a Republican
to the United States Senate
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry Cabot Lodge
, and served from November 13, 1924, to December 6, 1926, when a successor was elected. His bid for election to fill the vacancy was unsuccessful.
Butler served as chairman of the Committee on Patents in the 69th Congress, and then resumed his manufacturing interests. He thereafter resided in Boston until his death, and was interred in Forest Hills Cemetery
.
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...
, and a United States Senator
United 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...
.
Butler was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
where he attended the public school and studied law. He was admitted to the State bar in 1883. After graduating from the law department of Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in 1884, he practiced law in New Bedford until 1895. He was a member of the State house of representatives from 1890 to 1891, and a member of the State senate from 1892 to 1895, serving as its president in 1894 and 1895.
Butler moved to Boston in 1895, and continued the practice of law until 1912, when he engaged in the manufacture of cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
goods. He was a member of the commission to revise the statutes of Massachusetts from 1896 to 1900, and was chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
from 1924 to 1928.
On November 13, 1924, Butler was appointed 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 United States Senate
United 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...
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot "Slim" Lodge was an American Republican Senator and historian from Massachusetts. He had the role of Senate Majority leader. He is best known for his positions on Meek policy, especially his battle with President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 over the Treaty of Versailles...
, and served from November 13, 1924, to December 6, 1926, when a successor was elected. His bid for election to fill the vacancy was unsuccessful.
Butler served as chairman of the Committee on Patents in the 69th Congress, and then resumed his manufacturing interests. He thereafter resided in Boston until his death, and was interred in Forest Hills Cemetery
Forest Hills Cemetery
Forest Hills Cemetery is a historic cemetery, greenspace, arboretum and sculpture garden located in the Forest Hills section of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The cemetery was designed in 1848.-Overview:...
.