Lyman, Theodore, 1792-1849

Biography

Theodore Lyman II (September 20, 1792 – July 18, 1849) was an American philanthropist, politician, and author, born in Boston. He graduated from Harvard in 1810, visited Europe (1812–14), studied law, and with Edward Everett, revisited Europe in 1817–19. From 1819 to 1822 he was an aide to John Brooks, the Governor of Massachusetts. He became brigadier general of militia in 1823, and from 1820 to 1825 he served in the State Legislature. n 1833 Lyman defeated William Sullivan, the Whig candidate, and was elected the first Democratic Mayor of Boston. Lyman was a steadfast opponent of the radical abolitionists, and in August 1835 presided over a pro-slavery meeting in Boston. He was a liberal benefactor of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and of the Farm School and was the founder of the State Reform School for Boys, a reform school in Westborough.

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