William C. Cozzens
Encyclopedia
William Cole Cozzens was an American
politician and the 28th Governor of Rhode Island.
on August 26, 1811.
He married Martha Stanton Gould; the couple had five children. He was a successful dry goods businessman and President of the Rhode Island Union Bank.
and left office on May 26, 1863.
His great-grandson, James Gould Cozzens
, was a Pulitzer Prize
-winning novelist.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and the 28th Governor of Rhode Island.
Early life
Cozzens was born in Newport, Rhode IslandNewport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
on August 26, 1811.
He married Martha Stanton Gould; the couple had five children. He was a successful dry goods businessman and President of the Rhode Island Union Bank.
Political career
Cozzens was a Democrat. He was a mayor of Newport and represented Newport in both houses of the Rhode Island General Assembly. He was president of the state Senate and thus became governor of Rhode Island on March 3, 1863, when William Sprague resigned to become a US Senator. Cozzens ran in the next gubernatorial election, but lost to Republican James Y. SmithJames Y. Smith
James Youngs Smith was an American politician and the 29th Governor of Rhode Island .-Early life:...
and left office on May 26, 1863.
Death
He died on December 17, 1876 and was interment at Island Cemetery in Newport.His great-grandson, James Gould Cozzens
James Gould Cozzens
James Gould Cozzens was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist.He is often grouped today with his contemporaries John O'Hara and John P. Marquand, but his work is generally considered more challenging. Despite initial critical acclaim, his popularity came gradually...
, was a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has been awarded for distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life. It originated as the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel, which was awarded between 1918 and 1947.-1910s:...
-winning novelist.
Sources
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2