William Beach Lawrence
| William Beach Lawrence | |
|---|---|
Lawrence ca. 1820
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| Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island |
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In office 1851–1852 |
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| Governor | Philip Allen |
| Preceded by | Thomas Whipple |
| Succeeded by | Samuel G. Arnold |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Beach Lawrence April 12, 1821 New York City, New York |
| Died | February 14, 1880 (aged 58) New York City, New York |
| Spouse(s) | Esther Rogers Gracie (m. 1821; her death 1857) |
| Parents | Isaac Lawrence Cornelia Ann Beach |
| Alma mater |
Columbia College Litchfield Law School |
William Beach Lawrence (23 October 1800 – 26 March 1881) was an American politician and jurist who served as lieutenant governor of Rhode Island from 1851 to 1852 under Governor Philip Allen.
Lawrence was born in New York City to Isaac Lawrence (1768–1841) and Cornelia Ann Beach (1777–1857). His family was wealthy and had immigrated from England. He graduated from Columbia in 1818 and was admitted to the bar in 1823, after studying at Litchfield Law School.
In 1826, he was appointed Secretary of Legation for Great Britain, and was made chargé d'affaires the year after. When he returned to the United States in 1829 he practiced law with Hamilton Fish, and worked on the executive committee to promote the building of the Erie Railroad.
In 1850, Lawrence moved to Rhode Island and was elected as lieutenant-governor of that state the next year. He then became acting governor in 1852, and served in Rhode Island's constitutional convention as well. After his time in politics, he wrote essays and books about international law, and he argued a case before the United States Supreme Court in 1873. He became vice-president of the New York Historical Society in 1836.
In 1821, he married Esther Rogers Gracie (1801–1857), daughter of Archibald Gracie (1755–1829). Together, they had several children, including:
Lawrence died in March 1881 in New York City while seeking medical treatment.
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