Sumner Gage Whittier

Sumner Gage Whittier (July 4, 1911 – January 8, 2010) was an American politician who served two two-year terms as the 58th lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1953 to 1957.

Career Whittier was an Alderman in the City of Everett, a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and a Massachusetts Senator. He graduated from Boston University in 1936.

Whittier was the Republican candidate for Governor in 1956, but lost to Democrat Foster Furcolo. He was then appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to head the U.S. Veterans Administration, a position he held until 1961. Thereafter he headed SSI at the Social Security Administration in Baltimore and worked there until age 80.

Personal life Whittier lived in Ellicott City, Maryland. He died on January 8, 2010. The Sumner G. Whittier School in Everett is named in his honor.