Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

Secretary of the Commonwealth of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Incumbent
Bill Galvin
since January 1, 1995
Style His Honor
Term length Four years
Inaugural holder John Avery, Jr.
Formation 1780
Website www.sec.state.ma.us

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth (secretary of state) is the principal public information officer of the state government of the U.S. state of Massachusetts.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees the Corporations Division, the Elections Division, the Massachusetts Archives, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Public Records Division, the Securities Division, and the State Records Center.

The current secretary is William F. Galvin.

List of Secretaries of the Commonwealth (1780 to present)

# Secretary of the Commonwealth Years Party Electoral/appointed history
1
John Avery, Jr.		 January 1, 1780 –
June 7, 1806[1]		 Pro-Administration/Federalist Succeeded Samuel Adams, who had been Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from August 15, 1776 until January 1, 1780. Avery died in office, June 7, 1806.[1]
2 Jonathan L. Austin 1806 –
1808		 Democratic-Republican [Data unknown/missing.]
3 William Tudor 1808 –
1810		 Federalist [Data unknown/missing.]
4 Benjamin Homans 1810 –
1812		 Democratic-Republican [Data unknown/missing.]
5 Alden Bradford 1812 –
1824		 Federalist/National Republican [Data unknown/missing.]
6
Edward D. Bangs		 1824 –
1836		 National Republican/Whig [Data unknown/missing.]
7
John P. Bigelow		 1836 –
1843		 Whig [Data unknown/missing.]
8 John A. Bolles 1843 –
1844		 Whig [Data unknown/missing.]
9
John G. Palfrey		 1844 –
1848		 Whig [Data unknown/missing.]
10
William B. Calhoun		 January 1848[2] –
1851		 Whig[3] [Data unknown/missing.]
11
Amasa Walker		 1851 –
1853		 Whig [Data unknown/missing.]
12 Ephraim M. Wright 1853 –
1856		 Whig [Data unknown/missing.]
13 Francis De Witt 1856 –
1858		 Know Nothing [Data unknown/missing.]
14 Oliver Warner 1858 –
1876		 Republican [Data unknown/missing.]
15
Henry B. Pierce		 1876 –
1891		 Republican [Data unknown/missing.]
16
William M. Olin		 1891 –
April 15, 1911		 Republican Died in office April 15, 1911.
Acting Isaac H. Edgett April 15, 1911 –
April 28, 1911.[4]		 Republican Edgett, was the First Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth under William M. Olin.

As the First Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Edgett became the acting Secretary of the Commonwealth upon Olin's death. Edgett served as the acting Secretary of the Commonwealth[5] until Albert P. Langtry was elected by the Massachusetts legislature to serve out the remainder of Olin's term.

17
Albert P. Langtry		 April 28, 1911[4] Republican[6] Elected by the Legislature, on April 26, 1911, to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of William M. Olin. Langtry assumed the office of Secretary of the Commonwealth on April 28, 1911.[4]
18
Frank J. Donahue		 January 15, 1913 –
1915		 Democratic[6] [Data unknown/missing.]
19
Albert P. Langtry		 1915 –
1921		 Republican [Data unknown/missing.]
20
Frederic W. Cook		 1921 –
1949		 Republican[7] [Data unknown/missing.]
21 Edward J. Cronin 1949 –
November 24, 1958		 Democratic Died in office on November 24, 1958.
Acting J. Henry Goguen December 1, 1958 –
January 20, 1959		 Democratic [Data unknown/missing.]
22
Joseph D. Ward		 January 20, 1959 –
1961		 Democratic[8] [Data unknown/missing.]
23 Kevin H. White 1961 –
December 20, 1967		 Democratic First elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Re-elected in 1964 to a four-year term after the length of terms was extended.
Resigned to become Mayor of Boston.
24
Jack Davoren		 1967 –
1974		 Democratic [Data unknown/missing.]
25 Paul H. Guzzi 1975 –
1978		 Democratic [Data unknown/missing.]
26 Michael J. Connolly 1979 –
1994		 Democratic [Data unknown/missing.]
27
William F. Galvin		 January 1, 1995 –
present		 Democratic [Data unknown/missing.]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Roberts, Oliver Ayer (1901), History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts 1637-1888. Vol. II - 1738-1821, Boston, MA: Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, p. 196.
  2. ↑ Dexter, Franklin Bowditch (1912), Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College With Annals of the College History, Vol. VI September; 1805 - September; 1815, New Haven, Ct: Yale University Press, p. 629.
  3. ↑ William B. Calhoun at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on October 6, 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 Boston Daily Globe (April 29, 1911), LANGTRY IN NEW OFFICE. The Netherlands Club Pays Him a Visit and Presents Him a Bunch of Roses., Boston, Mass: Boston Daily Globe, p. 9.
  5. ↑ Boston Daily Globe (April 18, 1911), HOUSE RECORDED FOR INCOME TAX Walker Asks Reconsideration--- Senate Adopts 54-Hour Bill. Insane Hospital Inquiry Killed--- Anti-Lorimer Resolution. IMPORTANT EVENTS AT STATE HOUSE YESTERDAY., Boston, MA: The Boston Daily Globe, p. 1
  6. 1 2 "FOSS AND FROTHINGHAM WIN" (PDF). The New York Times. September 27, 1911. p. 2. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  7. ↑ "MANY SEEK OFFICE IN MASSACHUSETTS". The New York Times. August 9, 1922. p. 6. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  8. ↑ "In Memoriam". Holy Cross Magazine. Archived from the original on September 5, 2004. Summer 2003. Retrieved on October 6, 2007.

  • "THE STATES" (PDF). National Association of Secretaries of State. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  • "Special Collections - Burrill File". State Library of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
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