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List of Governors of Massachusetts

 
Wikipedia: List of Governors of Massachusetts
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This is a list of the governors of Massachusetts who have presided over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1780.

Contents

Colonial Massachusetts

Further information: List of colonial governors of Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 1780–present

This is a complete list of governors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Acting governors, denoted as "A" instead of numbered, are included when the Governor resigned or died. Acting governors show a vacancy in the lieutenant governorship. They remain as Lieutenant Governors and merely act as governor. Lieutenant governors in Massachusetts do not ascend to the governorship upon death or resignation of their predecessor.

# Governor Picture Took office Left office Party Lieutenant Governor(s) Notes
1 John Hancock JohnHancockSmall.jpeg 1780 1785 None Thomas Cushing [1]
A Thomas Cushing 1785 1785 None (vacant) [2]
2 James Bowdoin James Bowdoin.jpg 1785 1787 None Thomas Cushing
3 John Hancock JohnHancockSmall.jpeg May 30, 1787 October 8, 1793 None Thomas Cushing
(1787 - 1788)		 [3]
Benjamin Lincoln
(1788 - 1789)
Samuel Adams
(1789 - 1793)
4 Samuel Adams
 SamuelAdamsSmall.jpeg October 8, 1793 June 2, 1797 None Moses Gill
(1794 - 1799)		 [4]
5 Increase Sumner Increase Sumner.jpg June 2, 1797 June 7, 1799 Federalist [3]
A Moses Gill June 7, 1799 May 20, 1800 None (vacant) [2][3]
A Governor's Council Seal of Massachusetts.svg May 20, 1800 May 30, 1800 None [5]
6 Caleb Strong Caleb strong.jpg May 30, 1800 May 29, 1807 Federalist Samuel Phillips, Jr.
(1801 - 1802)
Edward H. Robbins
(1802 - 1806)
7 James Sullivan James Sullivan.jpg May 29, 1807 December 10, 1808 Democratic-Republican Levi Lincoln, Sr. [3]
A Levi Lincoln, Sr. Levi Lincoln, Sr.jpg December 10, 1808 May 1, 1809 Democratic-Republican (vacant) [2]
8 Christopher Gore ChristopherGore.jpg May 1, 1809 June 10, 1810 Federalist David Cobb
9 Elbridge Gerry Elbridge-gerry-painting.jpg June 10, 1810 March 4, 1812 Democratic-Republican William Gray
10 Caleb Strong Caleb strong.jpg June 1812 May 30, 1816 Federalist William Phillips, Jr.
11 John Brooks Gilbert Stuart, Govenor John Brooks, c. 1820, HAA.jpg May 30, 1816 May 31, 1823 Federalist
12 William Eustis William Eustis.jpg May 31, 1823 February 6, 1825 Democratic-Republican Levi Lincoln, Jr.
(1823 - 1824)		 [3]
Marcus Morton
(1824 - 1825)
A Marcus Morton Marcus Morton.jpg February 6, 1825 May 26, 1825 Democratic-Republican (vacant) [2]
13 Levi Lincoln, Jr. LLincolnJr.jpg May 26, 1825 January 9, 1834 Democratic-Republican Thomas L. Winthrop
(1826 - 1833)
Samuel Turell Armstrong
(1833 - 1834)
14 John Davis John Davis (Massachusetts Governor).jpg January 9, 1834 March 1, 1835 Whig Samuel Turell Armstrong [6]
A Samuel Turell Armstrong Samuel Turell Armstrong.png March 1, 1835 January 13, 1836 Whig (vacant) [2]
15 Edward Everett Edward Everett.jpg January 13, 1836 January 18, 1840 Whig George Hull
16 Marcus Morton Marcus Morton.jpg January 18, 1840 January 7, 1841 Democratic
17 John Davis John Davis (Massachusetts Governor).jpg January 7, 1841 January 17, 1843 Whig
18 Marcus Morton Marcus Morton.jpg January 17, 1843 January 1844 Democratic Henry H. Childs
19 George N. Briggs George Nixon Briggs.jpg January 1844 January 11, 1851 Whig John Reed, Jr.
20 George S. Boutwell George Boutwell, Brady-Handy photo portrait, ca1870-1880.jpg January 11, 1851 January 14, 1853 Democratic Henry W. Cushman
21 John H. Clifford JohnHClifford.jpg January 14, 1853 January 12, 1854 Whig Elisha Huntington
22 Emory Washburn EmoryWashburn.jpg January 12, 1854 January 4, 1855 Whig William C. Plunkett
23 Henry J. Gardner GovHenryJGardner.jpg January 4, 1855 January 7, 1858 Know-Nothing Simon Brown
(1855 - 1856)
Henry W. Benchley
(1856 - 1858)
24 Nathaniel Prentice Banks NPBanks.jpg January 7, 1858 January 3, 1861 Republican Eliphalet Trask
25 John Albion Andrew John A Andrews.jpg January 3, 1861 January 4, 1866 Republican John Z. Goodrich
(1861)
John Nesmith
(1862)
Joel Hayden
(1863 - 1866)
26 Alexander H. Bullock AlexanderBullock.jpg January 4, 1866 January 7, 1869 Republican William Claflin
27 William Claflin William Claflin - Brady-Handy.jpg January 7, 1869 January 4, 1872 Republican Joseph Tucker
28 William B. Washburn William washburn.jpg January 4, 1872 April 29, 1874 Republican Joseph Tucker
(1872 - 1873)		 [6]
Thomas Talbot
(1873 - 1874)
A Thomas Talbot GovThomasTalbot.jpg April 29, 1874 January 7, 1875 Republican (vacant) [2]
29 William Gaston GovWilliamGaston.jpg January 7, 1875 January 6, 1876 Democratic Horatio G. Knight
30 Alexander H. Rice AHRice.jpg January 6, 1876 January 2, 1879 Republican
31 Thomas Talbot GovThomasTalbot.jpg January 2, 1879 January 8, 1880 Republican John Davis Long
32 John Davis Long JDLong.jpg January 8, 1880 January 4, 1883 Republican Byron Weston
33 Benjamin Franklin Butler BenFrankButler.jpg January 4, 1883 January 3, 1884 Democratic Oliver Ames
34 George D. Robinson GovGeorgeDRobinson.jpg January 3, 1884 January 6, 1887 Republican
35 Oliver Ames GovOliverAmes.jpg January 6, 1887 January 7, 1890 Republican John Q. A. Brackett
36 John Q. A. Brackett JohnQABrackett.jpg January 7, 1890 January 8, 1891 Republican William H. Haile
37 William E. Russell GovWilliamERussell.jpg January 8, 1891 January 4, 1894 Democratic William H. Haile
(1891 - 1893)
Roger Wolcott
(1893 - 1894)
38 Frederic T. Greenhalge Frederick T. Greenhalge.jpg January 4, 1894 March 5, 1896 Republican Roger Wolcott [3]
39 Roger Wolcott Rwolcott.jpg March 5, 1896 January 4, 1900 Republican (vacant)
(1896 - 1897)		 [4]
Winthrop M. Crane
(1897 - 1900)
40 Winthrop M. Crane Winthrop Murray Crane.jpg January 4, 1900 January 8, 1903 Republican John L. Bates
41 John L. Bates GovJohnLBates.jpg January 8, 1903 January 5, 1905 Republican Curtis Guild, Jr.
42 William Lewis Douglas WilliamLewisDouglas.jpg January 5, 1905 January 4, 1906 Democratic
43 Curtis Guild, Jr. Curtis Guild Jr.jpg January 4, 1906 January 7, 1909 Republican Ebenezer Sumner Draper
44 Ebenezer Sumner Draper EbenezerSumnerDraper.jpg January 7, 1909 January 5, 1911 Republican Louis A. Frothingham
45 Eugene Foss Governor Foss.png January 5, 1911 January 8, 1914 Democratic Louis A. Frothingham
(1911 - 1912)
Robert Luce
(1912 - 1913)
David I. Walsh
(1913 - 1914)
46 David I. Walsh David Ignatius Walsh.jpg January 8, 1914 January 6, 1916 Democratic Edward P. Barry
(1914 - 1915)
Grafton D. Cushing
(1915 - 1916)
47 Samuel W. McCall Samuel McCall.jpg January 6, 1916 January 2, 1919 Republican Calvin Coolidge
48 Calvin Coolidge John Calvin Coolidge, Bain bw photo portrait.jpg January 2, 1919 January 6, 1921 Republican Channing H. Cox
49 Channing H. Cox Channing H Cox.png January 6, 1921 January 8, 1925 Republican Alvan T. Fuller
50 Alvan T. Fuller Alvin T Fuller.png January 8, 1925 January 3, 1929 Republican Frank G. Allen
51 Frank G. Allen Frank G Allen.png January 3, 1929 January 8, 1931 Republican William S. Youngman
52 Joseph B. Ely January 8, 1931 January 3, 1935 Democratic William S. Youngman
(1931 - 1933)
Gaspar G. Bacon
(1933 - 1935)
53 James Michael Curley James Michael Curley.jpg January 3, 1935 January 7, 1937 Democratic Joseph L. Hurley
54 Charles F. Hurley January 7, 1937 January 5, 1939 Democratic Francis E. Kelly
55 Leverett Saltonstall January 5, 1939 January 3, 1945 Republican Horace T. Cahill
56 Maurice J. Tobin Mjtobin.jpg January 3, 1945 January 2, 1947 Democratic Robert F. Bradford
57 Robert F. Bradford January 2, 1947 January 6, 1949 Republican Arthur W. Coolidge
58 Paul A. Dever January 6, 1949 January 8, 1953 Democratic Charles F. Sullivan
59 Christian Herter ChristianHerterSoS.jpg January 8, 1953 January 3, 1957 Republican Sumner G. Whittier
60 Foster Furcolo January 3, 1957 January 5, 1961 Democratic Robert F. Murphy
(1957 - 1960)
61 John A. Volpe Volpe-1-.jpg January 5, 1961 January 3, 1963 Republican Edward F. McLaughlin, Jr.
62 Endicott Peabody January 3, 1963 January 7, 1965 Democratic Francis X. Belotti
63 John A. Volpe Volpe-1-.jpg January 7, 1965 January 22, 1969 Republican Elliot Richardson
(1965 - 1967)		 [7]
Francis W. Sargent
(1967 - 1969)
64 Francis W. Sargent January 22, 1969 January 2, 1975 Republican Donald R. Dwight [4]
65 Michael Dukakis MichaelDukakis.png January 2, 1975 January 4, 1979 Democratic Thomas P. O'Neill III
66 Edward J. King January 4, 1979 January 6, 1983 Democratic
67 Michael Dukakis MichaelDukakis.png January 6, 1983 January 3, 1991 Democratic John Kerry
(1983 - 1985)
(vacant)
(1985 - 1987)
Evelyn Murphy
(1987 - 1991)
68 William Weld WilliamWeld.jpg January 3, 1991 July 29, 1997 Republican A. Paul Cellucci [8]
69 A. Paul Cellucci Cellucci paul.jpg July 29, 1997 April 10, 2001 Republican (vacant)
(1997 - 1999)		 [4][9]
Jane Swift
(1999 - 2001)
A Jane Swift Jane Swift 2008.jpg April 10, 2001 January 2, 2003 Republican (vacant) [2]
70 Mitt Romney Mitt Romney.jpg January 2, 2003 January 4, 2007 Republican Kerry Healey
71 Deval Patrick Deval 2.jpg January 4, 2007 Incumbent Democratic Timothy P. Murray [10]

Notes

  1. ^ Resigned due to illness (recurring gout), and to attempt to calm what became Shay's Rebellion.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g As lieutenant governor, acted as governor for unexpired term.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Died in office.
  4. ^ a b c d As lieutenant governor, acted as governor for unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right.
  5. ^ Due to both governor and lieutenant governor being vacant, the council acted as governor.
  6. ^ a b Resigned to take an elected seat in the United States Senate.
  7. ^ Resigned to be United States Secretary of Transportation.
  8. ^ Resigned to be appointed Ambassador to Mexico, but the United States Senate did not confirm him for the post.
  9. ^ Resigned to take post as Ambassador to Canada.
  10. ^ Governor Patrick's first term expires in 2011; he is not term limited.

Other high offices held

This is a table of congressional and other federal offices held by governors. All representatives and senators mentioned represented Massachusetts. * denotes those offices which the governor resigned to take.

Name Gubernatorial term U.S. Congress Other offices held
House Senate
John Hancock 1787–1793, 1780–1785 Delegate to the Continental Congress (including twice as President of the Continental Congress)
Thomas Cushing 1785 (acting) Delegate to the Continental Congress
Samuel Adams 1793–1797 Delegate to the Continental Congress
Caleb Strong 1800–1807, 1812–1816 S Delegate to the Continental Congress
James Sullivan 1807–1808 Delegate to the Continental Congress, but did not attend
Levi Lincoln, Sr. 1808–1809 (acting) H U.S. Attorney General
Christopher Gore 1813–1816 S
Elbridge Gerry 1810–1812 H Delegate to the Continental Congress, Vice President of the United States
William Eustis 1823–1825 H Ambassador to the Netherlands, U.S. Secretary of War
Marcus Morton 1825 (acting), 1840–1841, 1843–1844 H
Levi Lincoln, Jr. 1825–1834 H
John Davis 1834–1835, 1841–1843 H S*
Edward Everett 1836–1840 H S Ambassador to Great Britain, U.S. Secretary of State
George N. Briggs 1844–1851 H
George S. Boutwell 1851–1853 H S U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Nathaniel Prentice Banks 1858–1861 H Speaker of the House
William B. Washburn 1874–1874 H S*
Alexander H. Rice 1876–1879 H
John Davis Long 1880–1883 H U.S. Secretary of the Navy
Benjamin Franklin Butler 1883–1884 H
George D. Robinson 1884–1887 H
Frederic T. Greenhalge 1894–1896 H
Winthrop M. Crane 1900–1903 S
Eugene Foss 1911–1914 H
David I. Walsh 1914–1916 S
Samuel W. McCall 1916–1919 H
Calvin Coolidge 1919–1921 Vice President of the United States, President of the United States
Alvan T. Fuller 1925–1929 H
James Michael Curley 1935–1937 H
Leverett Saltonstall 1939–1945 S
Maurice J. Tobin 1945–1947 U.S. Secretary of Labor
Christian Herter 1953–1957 H U.S. Secretary of State
Foster Furcolo 1957–1961 H
John A. Volpe 1961–1963, 1965–1969 U.S. Secretary of Transportation*
Paul Cellucci 1997–2001 Ambassador to Canada*

Living former governors

As of March 2008, five former governors were alive, the oldest being Michael Dukakis (1975–1979, 1983–1991, born 1933). The most recent governor to die was Edward J. King (1979–1983), on September 18, 2006.

Name Gubernatorial term Date of birth
Michael Dukakis 1975–1979, 1983–1991 November 3, 1933 (1933-11-03) (age 76)
William Weld 1991–1997 July 31, 1945 (1945-07-31) (age 64)
Paul Cellucci 1997–2001 April 24, 1948 (1948-04-24) (age 61)
Jane Swift 2001–2003 (acting) February 24, 1965 (1965-02-24) (age 44)
Mitt Romney 2003–2007 March 12, 1947 (1947-03-12) (age 62)
v • d • e
Current statewide government officials of Massachusetts
U.S. Senators State seal of Massachusetts
U.S. House
State constitutional officers
State Senate leaders
State House leaders
Robert DeLeo (Speaker) · James Vallee (Majority Leader) · Bradley Jones (Minority Leader)
Supreme Judicial Court
Margaret Marshall (Chief) · Roderick L. Ireland · Francis X. Spina · Judith A. Cowin · Robert J. Cordy · Margot Botsford · Ralph Gants
v • d • e
Lists of chief executives of the United States
President
State governors
Territorial executives
Defunct

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