Josiah Quincy

Josiah Quincy VI (October 15, 1859 – September 8, 1919) was an American politician from Massachusetts who served as mayor of Boston from 1896 to 1900. A member of the Quincy political family, his grandfather Josiah Quincy IV (also known as Josiah Quincy Jr.) and great-grandfather Josiah Quincy III also had served as mayors of Boston.

Early life and education

Quincy was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, on October 15, 1859, the son of Josiah Phillips Quincy, and Helen Frances "Fanny" (Huntington) Quincy. Josiah Phillips Quincy was a Harvard graduate and was a lawyer and poet who also wrote several books related to politics. Josiah Quincy VI's grandfather and great-grandfather had both been mayors of Boston.

Quincy pursued a career in law and graduated from Harvard College in 1880, enrolled in Harvard Law School, and in 1884 was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

Career

A life-long supporter of historical preservation and organizations, Quincy addressed the first meeting of the Bostonian Society inside the Old State House in 1882, wherein he advocated for the retelling and commemoration of American history as a relevant subject.

A Democrat, Quincy was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1887 to 1888 and from 1890 to 1891.

Quincy was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2nd District of Massachusetts' congressional election in 1888 and served as the chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party from 1891 to 1894 and in 1905 to 1906. He was appointed as the United States Assistant Secretary of State by President Grover Cleveland in 1893 but resigned after six months. As Assistant Secretary of State, he filled all jobs under him with Bay Staters.