Philip Allen (Rhode Island politician)
American manufacturer and politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philip Allen (September 1, 1785 – December 16, 1865) was an American manufacturer and politician from Rhode Island. He served as Governor of Rhode Island and as a Democratic member of the United States Senate.
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Samuel G. Arnold
Philip Allen | |
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| United States Senator from Rhode Island | |
| In office July 20, 1853 – March 3, 1859 | |
| Preceded by | John H. Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Henry B. Anthony |
| 22nd Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office May 6, 1851 – July 20, 1853 | |
| Lieutenant | William B. Lawrence Samuel G. Arnold |
| Preceded by | Henry B. Anthony |
| Succeeded by | Francis M. Dimond |
| Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives | |
| In office 1819–1821 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 1, 1785 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 1865 (aged 80) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Resting place | North Burial Ground Providence, Rhode Island |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Phoebe Aborn |
| Relations | Thomas W. Dorr (nephew)[1] |
| Parent(s) | Zachariah Allen Nancy Crawford Allen |
| College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations | |
| Profession | Politician, Manufacturer |
| Signature |  |
Early life
Allen was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Zachariah Allen and Nancy Crawford Allen.[2] He was educated by private tutors and attended Taunton Academy and Robert Rogers School in Newport, Rhode Island.[3] In 1803, he graduated from the College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (the former name of Brown University) at Providence.[4] After graduation, he engaged in mercantile pursuits and foreign commerce before becoming a manufacturer of cotton goods in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He was president of the Providence Insurance Company, and in 1831 he began manufacturing cotton goods in Providence.[5]
Political career
He began his political career as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, serving from 1819 to 1821.[6] In 1827, he was appointed pension agent and president of the Rhode Island branch of the United States Bank.[7]
Allen was elected as the Democratic Governor of Rhode Island in 1851.[2] He served as Governor until 1853, when he resigned that office after being elected to represent Rhode Island in the United States Senate.[5] Allen served in the Senate from July 20, 1853 to March 3, 1859, and was Chairman for the Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry during the Thirty-third Congress and the Thirty-fourth Congress.[8][6] He was not a candidate for renomination, and retired from politics and business in 1859.
He died in Providence on December 16, 1865,[4] and is interred in the North Burial Ground in Providence.[9]
Family life
He married Phoebe Aborn in 1815, and they had eleven children.[7]
Honors
In 2016, Allen was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.[1]
