Background
Samuel Greene Arnold was born on April 12, 1821 in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. He was the son of Samuel Greene Arnold and Frances (Rogers) Arnold, and descended from Thomas Arnold, one of the earliest settlers of Providence.
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Samuel Greene Arnold
Edit ProfileEducation
The family's wealth, permitted him to enjoy the advantages offered by private tutors, private schools in Providence, and Dr. Muhlenberg's school at Flushing, N. Y. Although ill health prevented his remaining at Brown University, which he entered in 1836, a trip to Europe, in company with the Rev. Dr. Hague, contributed to his education until he was able to return to the completion of his college course, which he finished in 1841.
Thence he returned to Harvard Law School, secured the degree of LL. B.
Career
In 1845 he was admitted to the Rhode Island bar.
A gentleman of wealth and leisure, he spent a great deal of his time in travel, including Europe, the North Cape, Egypt, Syria, and South America. In England and France he examined and copied records and state papers relative to Colonial history, having already planned, while in law school, to write the history of Rhode Island. This work, entitled History of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation (1859), while written in a heavy style, was scholarly and thorough.
Arnold's services to his state included three terms as lieutenant-governor, the last interrupted, however, by his selection as senator to complete an unexpired term. Although an ardent champion of freedom and union, he went as a delegate to the Peace Conference of 1861. The attempt at compromise having failed, he served throughout the war as aide-de-camp to Gov. Sprague with the rank of colonel, commanding a battery of light artillery.
Always interested in public charities, he acted as trustee for the state reform school and for Butler Hospital, and contributed largely to the Charitable Baptist Society, of which he was president. His later years, mainly devoted to historical research and writing, were spent in his home, "Lazy Lawn, " at Middletown, R. I. His historical addresses, read upon various commemorative occasions and before the Rhode Island Historical Society, which he served also as president, were of conspicuous merit, especially his Memorial Papers on A. C. Greene, William Staples, and Usher Parsons.
Other works worthy of note were his Historical Sketch of Middletown (1880), and the centennial addresses on Providence and on the First Baptist Meeting House.
Achievements
Membership
President of the Rhode Island Historical Society.
Connections
He married his cousin Louisa Gindrat Arnold in 1828, they had three children.
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Born
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Died
February 14, 1880 (aged 58) -
Resting place
Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island, United States -
Nationality
American