Richard Dudley Hubbard (September 7, 1818 – February 28, 1884) was a United States representative and the 48th Governor of Connecticut.

Richard Dudley Hubbard
48th Governor of Connecticut
In office
January 3, 1877 – January 9, 1879
LieutenantFrancis Loomis
Preceded byCharles R. Ingersoll
Succeeded byCharles B. Andrews
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869
Preceded byHenry C. Deming
Succeeded byJulius L. Strong
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
In office
1842
1855
1858
Personal details
Born(1818-09-07)September 7, 1818
Berlin, Connecticut, US
DiedFebruary 28, 1884 (aged 65)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMary Juliana Morgan Hubbard
Alma materYale University
ProfessionAttorney, legislator

Biography

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Born in Berlin, Connecticut, he was orphaned while young, he pursued preparatory studies at East Hartford and graduated from Yale College in 1839, where he was a member of Skull and Bones.[1] He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Hartford. He married Mary Juliana Morgan and they had six children.[2]

Career

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Hubbard was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1842, 1855, and again in 1858, and was prosecuting attorney for Hartford County from 1846 to 1868. A lifelong Democrat, he nevertheless supported the Federal government throughout the Civil War.

Hubbard was elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth Congress, holding office from March 4, 1867 to March 3, 1869.[3] He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1868 and resumed the practice of law in Hartford. He was the nominee for governor in the 1872 election, but lost to Marshall Jewell.

He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1876 and a member of the Resolutions Committee.[4]

In November 1876 Hubbard was elected Governor of Connecticut, the first to be elected to a two-year term. He successfully advocated for legislation that altered the property rights of women, "making husband and wife equal in property rights."[5] Also, a bill was constituted that formed the State Board of Health; a commission was formed that managed Connecticut's dams and reservoirs, and regulations were amended that benefited the insurance industry.[2] In January 1878, Hubbard served on the committee that established the American Bar Association.[6] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection as governor in 1878. He engaged in the practice of law from 1877 until his death in Hartford.

Death and legacy

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Hubbard died of Bright's disease on February 28, 1884. He is interred at Cedar Hill Cemetery.[7]

A statue of Hubbard is on the east lawn of the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford with a plaque that describes him as "Lawyer, Orator, Statesman."[5][8]

References

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  1. ^ Millegan, Kris (2003). "The Skeleton Crew". Fleshing Out Skull and Bones: Investigations into America's Most Powerful Secret Society. Walterville, OR: Trine Day. pp. 597–690. ISBN 0-9720207-2-1. "This list is compiled from material from the Order of Skull and Bones membership books at Sterling Library, Yale University and other public records. The latest books available are the 1971 Living members and the 1973 Deceased Members books. The last year the members were published in the Yale Banner is 1969."
  2. ^ a b "Richard D. Hubbard". National Governors Association. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  3. ^ "Richard D. Hubbard". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  4. ^ "Richard D. Hubbard". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Norton, 295
  6. ^ Simeon E. Baldwin, "The Founding of the American Bar Association", The American Bar Association Journal (January 1, 1917), p. 658.
  7. ^ "Richard D. Hubbard". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  8. ^ Connecticut General Assembly: "Richard D. Hubbard (1818–1884)", accessed September 18, 2010
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Party political offices
Preceded by
James E. English
Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut
1872
Succeeded by
Charles Roberts Ingersoll
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut
November 1876, 1878
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 1st congressional district

March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Connecticut
1877–1879
Succeeded by