Cranston, Robert B.

Born: 1791-01-14 Newport, Rhode Island

Died: 1873-01-27 Newport, Rhode Island

From 1812 to 1815, Cranston worked as a collector of internal revenue. He then served as sheriff of Newport County, Rhode Island from 1818 to 1827. In 1827, he was appointed postmaster of Newport. In 1837, Cranston won election as a Whig to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1843. He then served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847, serving one year as speaker. In 1847, Cranston again won election to the House, were he served alongside Abraham Lincoln during the Thirtieth Congress. In 1864, he served as a Republican presidential elector.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 877.