Austen Colgate

Austen Colgate (August 12, 1863 – September 5, 1927) was an American businessman and Republican Party politician who represented Essex County, New Jersey in the New Jersey Senate. He was a candidate for governor of New Jersey in 1916 but narrowly lost the Republican primary to Walter Edge.

Early life and education Austen Colgate was born on August 12, 1863, in Orange, New Jersey, to Samuel and Elizabeth (née Morse) Colgate. His grandfather, William Colgate, was a leading American industrialist who in 1806 had founded William Colgate & Company, the leading American manufacturer of soaps and perfumes. Colgate University in Hamilton, New York is also named after the family.

He was educated at Orange High School and Norwich Academy. He graduated from Yale University in 1886 with a bachelor's degree.