Quick Facts
Biography
Frederick Octavius Prince (January 18, 1818 – June 6, 1899) was an American lawyer, politician, and mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.
He was the father of financier Frederick H. Prince.
Life and politics
Frederick Prince was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 18, 1818, the son of Thomas J. and Caroline Prince. He was educated at Boston Latin School and graduated from Harvard College in 1836. He studied law at the office of Dexter & Gardiner and was admitted to the bar in 1840. He engaged in politics as a member of the Whig Party.
In 1848, Prince married Helen Henry and took residence in Winchester, Massachusetts. They had five sons and one daughter.
Prince was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1851 and served for three years. He was a prominent participant in the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853. In 1854, he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate.
Prince joined the Democratic Party after the Whig Party dissolved in 1860. He was a delegate to the 1860 Democratic National Convention and was elected secretary of the convention. He served as secretary until 1888.
In 1876, Prince was elected Mayor of Boston, serving in 1877. He was defeated for re-election that year, but returned to office in 1879, serving until 1881.
During his tenure as mayor, Prince oversaw improvements to the city's sewer system and the development of the city's park system. At the end of Mayor Prince's incumbency, the most important projects before the city were the erection of the new Court House, the Public Library building, and the establishment of public parks in different parts of the city. In 1880, the city government celebrated the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Boston. On this occasion the statue of John Winthrop was unveiled on Scollay Square.
After serving as mayor, Prince became a trustee of the Boston Public Library and served as president of its board of trustees for 11 years. During his trusteeship, he advocated and oversaw the construction of the library's McKim Building in Copley Square.
Prince was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Massachusetts in 1885 and 1896, losing both times.
Frederick Prince died in Boston on June 6, 1899.
A bust of Frederick Prince now stands in the Cushman Room of the Boston Public Library.