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List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island facts for kids

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The city of Providence, Rhode Island has had many leaders over the years. The most important leader is the Mayor of Providence. The mayor is like the chief executive officer of the city, helping to make sure everything runs smoothly and that the city's services work well for its people.

When Providence first started having mayors, their term (how long they served) was only one year, from June to June. Over time, this changed. In 1873, the term shifted to start in January. Then, in 1913, the term was made longer to two years. Finally, in January 1967, the mayor's term became four years, which is how it is today. This means mayors now serve for a longer time, allowing them to work on bigger projects for the city.

The current mayor of Providence is Brett Smiley. He took office on January 2, 2023.

List of Mayors of Providence

This table shows the people who have served as mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, from the very first one to the current mayor.

# Image Name Term Party
1
Samuel Willard Bridgham, mayor of Providence
Samuel W. Bridgham
Samuel W. Bridgham June 1832–December 28, 1840 Whig
2
Thomas-m-burgess-providence-mayor
Thomas M. Burgess
Thomas M. Burgess February 2, 1841–June 1852 Whig
3
Providence mayor Amos Barstow engraving
Amos C. Barstow
Amos C. Barstow June 1852–June 1853 Whig
4
Providence mayor Walter R. Danforth engraving
Walter R. Danforth
Walter R. Danforth June 1853–June 1854 Democrat
5
Providence Mayor Edward Knowles engraving
Edward P. Knowles
Edward P. Knowles June 1854–June 1855 Whig
6
GovJamesYSmithRI
James Y. Smith
James Y. Smith June 1855–June 1857 Republican
7
William M. Rodman mayor of Providence
William M. Rodman
William M. Rodman June 1857–June 1859 American
8
Jabez Comstock Knight mayor of Providence
Jabez C. Knight
Jabez C. Knight June 1859–June 1864 Republican
9
Thomas A Doyle Mayor of Providence Official Portrait
Thomas A. Doyle
Thomas A. Doyle June 1864–June 1869 Republican
10
George L Clarke Mayor of Providence
George L. Clarke
George L. Clarke June 1869–June 1870 Republican
11
Thomas A Doyle Mayor of Providence Official Portrait
Thomas A. Doyle
Thomas A. Doyle June 1870–June 1881 Republican
12
William Hayward mayor of Providence
William S. Hayward
William S. Hayward January 1881–January 1884 Republican
13
Thomas A Doyle Mayor of Providence Official Portrait
Thomas A. Doyle
Thomas A. Doyle January 1884–June 9, 1886 Republican
14
Gilbert F. Robbins Mayor of Providence RI
Gilbert F. Robbins
Gilbert F. Robbins June 9, 1886–January 1889 Republican
15
Henry Rodman Barker Mayor of Providence
Henry R. Barker
Henry R. Barker January 1889–January 1891 Republican
16
Charles Sydney Smith halftone
Charles Sydney Smith
Charles Sydney Smith January 1891–January 1892 Republican
17
William Knight Potter mayor of Providence-2
William Knight Potter
William Knight Potter January 1892–January 1894 Democrat
18
Frank F. Olney photogravure
Frank F. Olney
Frank F. Olney January 1894–January 1896 Republican
19
Mayor Edwin D McGuinness
Edwin D. McGuinness
Edwin D. McGuinness January 6, 1896–January 3, 1898 Democrat
20
William-c-baker-mayor-providence
William C. Baker
William C. Baker January 1898–January 1901 Democrat
21
DLDGranger
Daniel L. D. Granger
Daniel L. D. Granger January 1901–January 1903 Democrat
22
Augustus S. Miller portrait
Augustus S. Miller
Augustus S. Miller January 1903–September 26, 1905 Democrat
23
Elisha Dyer Jr RI Governor
Elisha Dyer, Jr.
Elisha Dyer, Jr. January 1906–November 29, 1906 Republican
24
Patrick J. McCarthy Mayor of Providence
Patrick J. McCarthy
Patrick J. McCarthy January 1907–January 1909 Democratic
25
Henry Fletcher Providence Mayor
Henry Fletcher
Henry Fletcher January 1909–January 1913 Republican
26
Joseph Gainer Providence mayor
Joseph H. Gainer
Joseph H. Gainer January 1913–January 1927 Democratic
27
No image
James E. Dunne
James E. Dunne January 1927–January 1939 Democratic
28
John F. Collins mayor of Providence
John F. Collins
John F. Collins January 2, 1939–January 6, 1941 Republican
29
RI Governor Dennis Joseph Roberts
Dennis J. Roberts
Dennis J. Roberts January 1941–January 1951 Democratic
30
Providence mayor Walter Reynolds
Walter H. Reynolds
Walter H. Reynolds January 1951–January 5, 1965 Democratic
31
Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Providence Mayor
Joseph A. Doorley, Jr.
Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. January 5, 1965–January 6, 1975 Democratic
32 Vincent "Buddy" Cianci January 7, 1975–April 25, 1984 Republican (1974–1982)
Independent (1982–1984)
33
Joseph R. Paolino, Jr. 1985
Joseph R. Paolino
Joseph R. Paolino April 25, 1984–January 7, 1991 Democratic
34
Buddy Cianci 4 July 2009 Bristol RI (1)
Vincent "Buddy" Cianci
Vincent "Buddy" Cianci January 7, 1991–September 6, 2002 Independent
35
No image
John J. Lombardi
John J. Lombardi September 6, 2002–January 6, 2003 Democratic
36
David Cicilline, Official Portrait, 112th Congress 2
David Cicilline
David Cicilline January 6, 2003–January 3, 2011 Democratic
37
Angel Taveras headshot
Angel Taveras
Angel Taveras January 3, 2011–January 5, 2015 Democratic
38
Providence mayor Jorge Elorza
Jorge Elorza
Jorge Elorza January 5, 2015–January 2, 2023 Democratic
39
Brett Smiley, Salute to Veterans Waterfire, Providence, RI (cropped)
Brett Smiley
Brett Smiley January 2, 2023–present Democratic

See also

  • Mayoral elections in Providence, Rhode Island
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List of mayors of Providence, Rhode Island Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.