US Congressman, Wool Manufacturer. Born to prominent and very wealthy wool manufacturer and member of the Rhode Island Legislature Jesse Metcalf and his wife Helen Adelia Rowe, who was the founder and long time President of the Rhode Island School of Design. Private school education and studied textile manufacturing in England. Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for 1889 to 1891 and again in 1907. Served as president of the wool-manufacturing mill started by his father and 2 other partners. Married Harriet Deshon and had a daughter Cornelia in 1892. His first wife died in 1903 and he married Lydia Dexter Sharpe. Served as president of Rhode Island Hospital and was trustee of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1928. Elected as a Republican to the US Congress and served from 1924 to 1937. Was the Chairman of the Committee on Patents. Was defeated in his bid for reelection in 1936 by Theodore Francis Greene. His older sister Eliza Greene Metcalf Radeke was also president of the Rhode Island School of Design. He gave $450,000 for the construction of the Metcalf Chemical Laboratory at Brown University in memory of his father. He also gave $100,000 to further endow the building.
US Congressman, Wool Manufacturer. Born to prominent and very wealthy wool manufacturer and member of the Rhode Island Legislature Jesse Metcalf and his wife Helen Adelia Rowe, who was the founder and long time President of the Rhode Island School of Design. Private school education and studied textile manufacturing in England. Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for 1889 to 1891 and again in 1907. Served as president of the wool-manufacturing mill started by his father and 2 other partners. Married Harriet Deshon and had a daughter Cornelia in 1892. His first wife died in 1903 and he married Lydia Dexter Sharpe. Served as president of Rhode Island Hospital and was trustee of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1928. Elected as a Republican to the US Congress and served from 1924 to 1937. Was the Chairman of the Committee on Patents. Was defeated in his bid for reelection in 1936 by Theodore Francis Greene. His older sister Eliza Greene Metcalf Radeke was also president of the Rhode Island School of Design. He gave $450,000 for the construction of the Metcalf Chemical Laboratory at Brown University in memory of his father. He also gave $100,000 to further endow the building.
Bio by: Matthew Fatale
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