Palmer, Albert, 1831-1887
Biography
Albert Palmer, the twenty-sixth mayor of Boston, was wholly a self-made man. He was the son of a small farmer in Candia, New Hampshire, where he was born on January 17, 1831. In the intervals of work in this small community he obtained what elementary education he could. When he was but fourteen years old he taught school to get the means with which to go to Phillips Academy, Exeter, and when he was twenty-three entered Dartmouth, where he graduated second in his class. He taught school in West Cambridge and in the Boston Latin School. He organized the Jamaica Pond Ice Company, which was a great financial success, and he served for many years as its treasurer, and later as president. Becoming interested in politics, he was elected in 1872 to the House of Representatives, serving until 1874, inclusive, acting as chairman of the Joint Committee on Railroads. He was in the State Senate from 1875 to 1880, and for a time was chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations. He left the Republican party in 1879, and became a Democrat and a follower of General Butler. He was defeated for mayor in 1882 by Dr. Samuel Green, but was elected the following year. Through his efforts Franklin Park was started. He died on May 21, 1887.
Taken from "Boston's 45 Mayors from John Phillips to Kevin H. White," City Record, Boston, 1979.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Mayor Albert Palmer, 1883, undated
Photographs and other images collected by the Boston Landmarks Commission for reference use and for publications as well as photographs taken by the Landmarks Commission documenting their work and city neighborhoods.
Mayoral addresses
Includes two compilation volumes of addresses from 1822-1867 and printed copies of annual and inaugural addresses of the Mayor from 1824-1980 with gaps.