Isaac Freeman Rasin

Isaac Freeman Rasin (March 11, 1833 – March 9, 1907) was an American political boss as the Democratic Leader of Baltimore from 1870 to 1907. He helped run the Gorman–Rasin organization with Arthur Pue Gorman, which influenced Baltimore politics in the 1870s and 1880s.

Early life Isaac Freeman Rasin was born on March 11, 1833, at Castle Carey in Kent County, Maryland, to Mary Rebecca (née Ringgold) and Robert Wilson Rasin. He studied at Washington College. He was of French ancestry on his father's side. The Rasin family owned the "Old Field Point" estate (368 acres of farmland and 300 acres of riparian forest) on the Sassafras River.

Career Rasin worked as a clerk in his father's dry goods store in Baltimore. He worked in a similar role until 1867. He then joined the Democratic party. In 1864, he was elected by his friends to the Democrats' city executive committee. Rasin was known as the "Old Man" of Baltimore Politics, and sometimes went by Freeman Rasin or "Free" Rasin.

In 1870, Rasin met Arthur Pue Gorman and formed what would be known as the Gorman–Rasin organization, a political machine in Baltimore in the 1870s and 1880s. In 1878, the "Old Guard" was formed, seven men that would leave their mark on Maryland politics and be associated with the political machine. These men included: Gorman, Rasin, Jesse K. Hines, Levin Woolford, Michael Bannon, George Colton and John W. Davis. Other members of the political organization included Robert J. "Doc" Slater, J. Frank Morrison, John J. Mahon, Thomas G. Hayes, Robert M. McLane, Frederick Raine, William Pinkney Whyte, James B. Groome and Edwin Warfield. Both Groome and Warfield ended up getting positions with Rasin at the clerk's office. John was the stepfather of Wallis Simpson, wife of Edward VIII.

Rasin died on March 9, 1907, at his house on the intersection of Calvert and Chase streets in Baltimore.