Walter Folger Jr. was a U. S. Representative from Massachusetts, lawyer and scientist.
Background
He traced his descent from John Folger who, coming from Norwich, England, in 1635, settled at Watertown, Massachussets, but moved to Martha's Vineyard in 1642, accompanied by his son, Peter.
In 1661 the latter went to Nantucket for the purpose of surveying land and ultimately made his permanent home there. Walter Folger of the fourth generation from him, a resident of Nantucket, married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Starbuck, and their son Walter was born on the Island, which continued to be his domicile during the whole of his long life.
Education
Attending only the elementary schools, he "never went to any institution of learning where anything above the alphabet, spelling, reading in the Bible and surveying were taught" (Lydia E. Hinchman, post).
On leaving school he settled down to a course of self-tuition, which was as remarkable for its range as for the results achieved.
He taught himself the higher branches of mathematics, mastered the principles and practice of mechanics, and though never apprenticed to any craftsman became an expert watch-maker and clock-maker, at which business he made a living for a number of years.
Career
In 1788, at the age of twenty-three, he commenced work on the construction of a clock, incorporating features such as had never been attempted prior to that time. Devoting merely his spare time to the task, he completed the undertaking in less than two years, and in 1790 exhibited in perfect working order what has since been known as "Folger's astronomic clock. " In addition to the usual functions of marking the passage of time, it designated the year and day of the month.
The rising and setting of the sun and moon and their exact paths were indicated by balls which moved in exact astronomic time each day and night, and the chief phenomena resulting from the obliquity of the moon's path to the ecliptic were also displayed.
Other extraordinary features exhibited the mechanical genius and delicate workmanship of the designer (Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 2 ser. , III, 1815). On the completion of this remarkable object he turned to other fields, studying in the first place medicine and science.
He then turned his attention to the law, studying by himself as was his wont; was admitted as a counselor-at-law in 1807, and practiced for about twenty years.
In 1822 he again became state senator for one term. In his law practice he was as successful as in other spheres, becoming in 1828 a judge of the court of common pleas and the court of sessions in Nantucket.
He remained on the bench for six years, and it is a striking tribute to his judicial qualities that no appeal was ever taken from any of his decisions. At the time of his death he was engaged upon the compilation of a genealogy of the Nantucket families.
He was buried in the Friends Burying Ground.
Achievements
Politics
In 1816 he was elected representative from the Nantucket district of Massachusetts to the Fifteenth Congress as a Democrat, and, being reelected served from March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1821.
Membership
He was a member of the Massachusetts State Senate.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
In the mean-while he "acted as surveyor of land, repaired watches, clocks and chronometers, made compasses, engraved on copper and other metals, made chemical and other scientific discoveries, calculated eclipses and understood and spoke the French language. "