Charles C. Van Zandt

Charles C. Van Zandt

Charles Collins Van Zandt (born August 10, 1830 in Newport , Rhode Island , † June 4, 1894 ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Rhode Island from 1877 to 1880 .

Early years

Charles Van Zandt attended Trinity College in Hartford , Connecticut . After studying law and being admitted to the bar in 1853, he began working in his new profession in Newport. Two years later he became an attorney for that city and secretary to the Rhode Island House of Representatives . In 1857 he was himself elected a member of this body and a year later he was President of the House.

Political rise and governor of Rhode Island

Van Zandt was a member of the Republican Party . From 1869 to 1870 he was a member of the State Senate . From 1873 to 1875 he was Lieutenant Governor Deputy to Governor Henry Howard . In 1877 he was elected governor of his state as a candidate for his party and the prohibition movement . After he was confirmed in his office in the following two years, he was able to rule as governor between May 29, 1877 and May 25, 1880. During this time he promoted the expansion of the school system in his state. Van Zandt was also known as a good author and speaker at the time.

After the end of his governorship, he was offered the post of US ambassador to Russia by President Rutherford B. Hayes , but he declined. Charles Van Zandt died in June 1894. He was married to Arazelia Greene Porter.

Web links

• Charles C. Van Zandt in the National Governors Association (English)

• Charles C. Van Zandt in the database of Find a Grave (English)