Philip Allen

Philip Allen (September 1, 1785 – December 16, 1865) was an American manufacturer and politician from Rhode Island. He served as Governor of Rhode Island and as a Democratic member of the United States Senate.

Early life

Allen was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Zachariah Allen and Nancy Crawford Allen. He was educated by private tutors and attended Taunton Academy and Robert Rogers School in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1803, he graduated from the College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (the former name of Brown University) at Providence. After graduation, he engaged in mercantile pursuits and foreign commerce before becoming a manufacturer of cotton goods in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He was president of the Providence Insurance Company, and in 1831 he began manufacturing cotton goods in Providence.

Political career He began his political career as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, serving from 1819 to 1821. In 1827, he was appointed pension agent and president of the Rhode Island branch of the United States Bank.

Allen was elected as the Democratic Governor of Rhode Island in 1851.

Family life He married Phoebe Aborn in 1815, and they had eleven children.

Honors In 2016, Allen was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.