Theodore FOSTER, Congress, RI (1752-1828)

FOSTER Theodore , a Senator from Rhode Island; born in Brookfield, Worcester County, Mass., April 29, 1752; pursued classical studies and graduated from Rhode Island College (now Brown University), Providence, R.I., in 1770; studied law; admitted to the bar about 1771 and commenced practice in Providence, R.I.; town clerk of Providence 1775-1787; member, State house of representatives 1776-1782; appointed judge of the court of admiralty in May 1785; appointed Naval Officer of Customs for the district of Providence, R.I., 1790; elected to the United States Senate in 1790; reelected in 1791 and again in 1797 as a Federalist and served from June 12, 1790, to March 3, 1803; was not a candidate for reelection in 1802; retired from public life and engaged in writing and historical research; member, State house of representatives 1812-1816; trustee of Brown University 1794-1822; died in Providence, R.I., January 13, 1828; interment in Swan Point Cemetery.

Bibliography

Dictionary of American Biography; Cotner, Robert C., ed. Theodore Foster's Minutes of the Convention Held at South Kingstown, Rhode Island, in March, 1790, Which Failed to Adopt the Constitution of the United States. 1929. Reprint. Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1970; Foster, William E. "Sketch of the Life and Services of Theodore Foster." Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society 7 (1885): 111-34.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present