Leonard R. Cutter

Leonard Richardson Cutter (July 1, 1825 – July 13, 1894) was the Chairman of the Board of Aldermen of Boston, Massachusetts in 1873, and served as the acting mayor of Boston from November 29, 1873, to January 5, 1874, after the resignation of Henry L. Pierce. His mayoralty of 37 days is the second shortest of any of Boston's mayors.

Early life Leonard Richardson Cutter was born on July 1, 1825, in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. He was a teacher for three years there before leaving for Boston at the age of 20. He initially lived in the West End neighborhood and worked as a grocer. Around a decade later, he became a successful real estate agent and landlord and moved to the Beacon Hill neighborhood. He was succeeded by Samuel B. Cobb on January 5, 1874, after only 37 days of being mayor.

Later career After stepping down as mayor, Cutter served a fourth year as an alderman. He served until 1883 on Boston's water board, being its chairman for four years. He had eight overlapping years where he served as Boston's water commissioner.

Death Cutter died in his home in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood on July 13, 1894. He was 69 years old.