Mellen Chamberlain facts for kids

Mellen Chamberlain

Mellen Chamberlain (born June 4, 1821, in Pembroke, New Hampshire – died June 25, 1900, in Chelsea, Massachusetts) was an important American lawyer, librarian, and historian. He was known for leading the Boston Public Library for more than ten years.

Mellen Chamberlain's Life and Career

Mellen Chamberlain went to Dartmouth College and graduated in 1844. He then studied law at the Harvard Law School, finishing in 1848. In 1849, he became a lawyer and opened his own office in Boston. He lived in Chelsea for 51 years and helped the town in many ways.

He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1858 and 1859. Later, he served in the Massachusetts Senate in 1863 and 1864. He also worked as a judge. He was an associate justice of the Municipal Court of Boston from 1866 to 1870, and then the chief justice from 1870 to 1878.

In 1878, Mellen Chamberlain became the head librarian of the Boston Public Library. He worked there until 1890, when he had to retire because of poor health. During his time as librarian, work began on a new library building. Throughout his life, he was very interested in American history and studied it closely.

Mellen Chamberlain's Historical Works

Mellen Chamberlain was a dedicated historian. He wrote many books and essays about American history. Besides writing parts of Justin Winsor's Memorial History of Boston (1881), he also wrote his own important works.

Some of his well-known books include:

• The History of Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, and Pullin Point (1880)
• Narrative and Critical History of America (1888)
• John Adams, the Statesman of the Revolution (1884)
• The Authentication of the Declaration of Independence (1885)
• John Adams, the Statesman, with Other Essays and Addresses (1898)
• The Journals of Captain Henry Dearborn, 1775-83 (1886–87)
• The Constitutional Relations of the American Colonies to the English Government at the Commencement of the American Revolution (1887)

See also

• 84th Massachusetts General Court (1863)
• 85th Massachusetts General Court (1864)

Images for kids

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  Mellen Chamberlain, around 1855. From the Mellen Chamberlain Collection, Boston Public Library.

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  Chamberlain in 1855