Neil Rolde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neil Rolde
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| Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
| In office 1974–1990 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | July 25, 1931 Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 15, 2017 (aged 85) York, Maine, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | York, Maine |
| Alma mater | Yale University (BA) Columbia University (MA) |
| Profession | Author, Historian |
| Website | http://neilroldeauthor.com/ |
Neil Rolde (born July 25, 1931 – died May 15, 2017) was an important American historian, author, and politician. He was also known for his charity work. Rolde grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. He went to Phillips Academy and later studied English at Yale University. He also earned a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. Before moving to Maine with his wife, Carlotta Florsheim, he worked as a writer for films.
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Neil Rolde's Life and Work
A Life in Public Service
Neil Rolde spent many years working for the public. He was an assistant to Governor Kenneth M. Curtis of Maine for six years. During this time, he even managed the governor's election campaign in 1967.
From 1974 to 1990, Rolde was an elected representative in the Maine Legislature. He represented the area of York. He became the leader of the main political party in the Maine House of Representatives from 1975 to 1977. This role is called the "majority leader."
In 1976, Rolde tried to become a member of the United States House of Representatives. He ran in a special election with six other candidates. He finished third in this race. Later, in 1990, he won the nomination from the Democratic Party to run for the United States Senate. However, he lost the election to the person who already held the job, Republican Senator Bill Cohen.
Helping Maine's Communities
Beyond his time as a lawmaker, Neil Rolde served on many important groups. These included state boards and private non-profit organizations. He helped with things like health care, preserving history, and supporting arts and culture in Maine.
He was the chairman of the Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation. He also helped lead the University of New England and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. These roles show how much he cared about education, science, and public services.
Rolde was very active in his hometown of York, Maine. He stayed involved in politics even after leaving the Legislature. He was the chairman of a group called "Save our Shipyard." This group successfully fought against plans to cut jobs at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard two times.
Writing About Maine's Past
Most of Neil Rolde's books are about the history of Maine and its people. A topic he often wrote about was the history and challenges faced by Native Americans in Maine. He had been interested in this topic since he was a child.
While working for Governor Curtis, he helped these tribes. His experiences led him to write an important book called Unsettled Past, Unsettled Future: The Story of Maine Indians. This book is considered a key historical text about Maine's Native American communities.
Neil Rolde received awards for his books from several groups. These included the Maine Historical Society and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. He also received an award from the Maine Humanities Council for his work.
Later Years
Neil Rolde passed away peacefully at his home in York, Maine, on May 15, 2017. He was 85 years old.
