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Francis Calley Gray

1790 – 1856

American politician

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About Francis Calley Gray

Lived 1790 – 1856 (aged 66). Francis Calley Gray was an American politician, art collector and jurist.

Francis Calley Gray (September 19, 1790 – December 29, 1856) was a politician from Massachusetts, United States. He was the son of Elizabeth and William Gray, he graduated Harvard University and went on to be John Quincy Adams's private secretary, a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and president of the Boston Athenæum. Gray was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1819, and a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1820. Gray was a member of Harvard Overseers. When he died, he left many gifts to Harvard, including his collection of 3,000 engravings and $50,000 (equivalent to $ today) to be put towards a museum of comparative zoology.

He died in 1856 and is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery, his tomb guarded by a sleeping dog.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Harvard University
Positions held
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Senator
Awards
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Also known as
F. C. Gray, Francis C. Gray, Frances Gray, Frances C. Gray, Frances Calley Gray

People in Francis Calley Gray's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Francis Calley Gray's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Francis Calley Gray?

American politician

When was Francis Calley Gray born?

Francis Calley Gray was born on 19 September 1790.

When did Francis Calley Gray die?

Francis Calley Gray died on 29 December 1856.

What was Francis Calley Gray's occupation?

Francis Calley Gray was a politician, art collector and jurist.

What nationality was Francis Calley Gray?

Francis Calley Gray was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Francis Calley Gray

· Wikidata: Q5478625

· DBpedia: Francis Calley Gray

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Francis Calley Gray. https://biography.guide/francis-calley-gray/

MLA: "Francis Calley Gray." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/francis-calley-gray/.

Chicago: "Francis Calley Gray." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/francis-calley-gray/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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