Ray Greene was a United States Senator and Attorney General from Rhode Island during the early days of statehood.
Background
Greene"s grandfather was colonial governor William Greene, and both his father and mother, who were second cousins, descend from early colonial deputy governor John Greene, Junior. Ray Greene also descends from several early Rhode Island settlers, including Warwick founders John Greene, Samuel Gorton, and Randall Holden, and Providence founder Roger Williams.
Education
Greene pursued classical studies and graduated from Yale College in 1784, then studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Providence.
Career
He was attorney general of Rhode Island from 1794 to 1797, and in the latter year was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Bradford. Greene was reelected in 1799 and in total served from November 13, 1797, to March 5, 1801, when he resigned, having been nominated for a judicial position. He was designated a district judge of Rhode Island by President John Adams, but, through a technicality, was not appointed.
Greene married in Charleston, South Carolina on July 23, 1794 Mary Magdalene Flagg (1775-1817), the daughter of George Flagg and Mary Magdalene Henderson of Charleston.
The couple had five children, the oldest of whom was George Turner Greene (1795-1821) followed by William Greene who became a Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in the late 1860s. Their third child, Catharine Ray Greene (1799-1875) married in 1815 Doctor James Varnum Turner.
Mary Elizabeth (born 1804) died as a youngster. And Isabella Mary (1805-1863) married in 1833 Joseph South. Jenckes.
Membership
Member United States Senate (filled vacancy) from Rhode Island, November