Historical Profile: George Frisbie Hoar

George Frisbie Hoar statue - Boston, MA.

Boston, MA. – George Frisbie Hoar (1826 – 1904) was a well-known American political figure during the 19th century. During his time in elected office, Hoar was on the forefront of several contemporary social issues.

Hoar was born in Concord, Massachusetts. In 1846, he graduated from Harvard University and in 1849 he graduated from Harvard Law School. After completing law school, Hoar went on to run for elected office. Eventually, he would serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. Later, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for four terms and the U.S. Senate from 1877 – 1904.

In 1865, Hoar was one of the co-founders of the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science – which eventually became the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  In addition to writing the Presidential Succession Act of 1886, Hoar was an advocate for the inclusion of African Americans and Native Americans. In 1882, he voted in opposition to the Chinese Exclusion Act. He was also opposed to the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands. In 1887, he co-founded the American Irish Historical Society. 

There is a statue of George Frisbie Hoar in the State Library at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. There is an inscription on the bottom of the statue that reads: "George Frisbie Hoar: 1826 – 1904. Scholar, jurist, statesman. Pure in life. Incorruptible in politics. Champion of Freedom. Friend of Humanity."

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