Historical Profile: Curtis Guild, Jr.

Boston, MA. - Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Curtis Guild, Jr. (1860-1915) was a diplomat, journalist, politician, and soldier.  Guild was educated at Harvard University.  As a student at Harvard he was classmates and friends with Theodore Roosevelt.  In 1891, Guild joined the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.  Later, he volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War.  In 1909, Guild retired as a Major General from the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

Guild began his political career in 1881 serving as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  Later, Guild was elected as the 39th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (1903-1906) and the 43rd Governor of Massachusetts (1906-1909).  After serving as Governor, Guild served as U.S. Ambassador to Russia for two years.  He also assisted with drafting a model income tax law for the National Tax Association.

There is a monument dedicated to Curtis Guild, Jr. in the Massachusetts State House.

Curtis Guild, Jr. monument at the Massachusetts State House.

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