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'''John Davis Long''' (October 27, 1838 – August 28, 1915) was a [[lawyer]] and Republican from [[Massachusetts]] who represented the state's second congressional district for three terms from 1883 to 1889, previously being elected governor. Prior to that, he was the [[lieutenant governor]] of the state under Thomas Talbot. Long later served under the McKinley and Roosevelt administrations as [[Secretary of the Navy]].
==Background==
Long was born in Buckfield, [[Maine]] to Zadoc Long and the former Julia Temple Davis.<ref name=masshistbio>[https://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fa0231 John Davis Long Papers]. ''Massachusetts Historical Society''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> After preparations in Hebron Academy, Long proceeded to attend [[Harvard University]].
During the late 1850s, Long sought out a career in teaching and became the principal of Westford Academy for some time.<ref name=masshistbio/> He eventually decided to become a lawyer, studying at [[Harvard Law School]] in 1860 and being admitted to the bar in the following year. Long later moved to [[Boston]].<ref name=masshistbio/>
==Political career==
Prior to joining the [[Republican Party]], Long was an [[Independent voters|Independent]], under such credentials successfully running for the state legislature in the mid-1870s.<ref name=masshistbio/> Politically aligned at times with Democrat and [[Liberal Republican Party]] politicians, he was associated with civil service reform advocates and considered a [[moderate]] in his support for [[temperance]], [[women's suffrage]], and prison reform.<ref name=masshistbio/>
In 1877 and 1878, Long ran for Governor of Massachusetts. He failed to garner the party nomination in both races though accepted a consolation bid in the latter election cycle to run for lieutenant governor instead.<ref name=masshistbio/>
===Governor of Massachusetts===
Long ran in the 1880 gubernatorial election, and defeated nominal Democrat Benjamin Butler by six percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=185066 MA Governor Race - Nov 04, 1879]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> He then handily won re-election in 1881<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=266525 MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1880]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> and 1882 by double-digit margins.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=266526 MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1881]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref>
During his tenure, Gov. Long re-organized the state government, disputed a statewide law regarding the [[death penalty]], and cut taxes on mortgages in addition to local shipping.<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/john-davis-long/ Gov. John Davis Long]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> Viewing his administration as efficient, Long wrote in his journal that he:<ref name=masshistbio/>
{{cquote|filled [the governorship] well and honestly and not without grace and brilliancy.|||Long}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Long, John D.}}
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:United States Lieutenant Governors]]
[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
==Background==
Long was born in Buckfield, [[Maine]] to Zadoc Long and the former Julia Temple Davis.<ref name=masshistbio>[https://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fa0231 John Davis Long Papers]. ''Massachusetts Historical Society''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> After preparations in Hebron Academy, Long proceeded to attend [[Harvard University]].
During the late 1850s, Long sought out a career in teaching and became the principal of Westford Academy for some time.<ref name=masshistbio/> He eventually decided to become a lawyer, studying at [[Harvard Law School]] in 1860 and being admitted to the bar in the following year. Long later moved to [[Boston]].<ref name=masshistbio/>
==Political career==
Prior to joining the [[Republican Party]], Long was an [[Independent voters|Independent]], under such credentials successfully running for the state legislature in the mid-1870s.<ref name=masshistbio/> Politically aligned at times with Democrat and [[Liberal Republican Party]] politicians, he was associated with civil service reform advocates and considered a [[moderate]] in his support for [[temperance]], [[women's suffrage]], and prison reform.<ref name=masshistbio/>
In 1877 and 1878, Long ran for Governor of Massachusetts. He failed to garner the party nomination in both races though accepted a consolation bid in the latter election cycle to run for lieutenant governor instead.<ref name=masshistbio/>
===Governor of Massachusetts===
Long ran in the 1880 gubernatorial election, and defeated nominal Democrat Benjamin Butler by six percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=185066 MA Governor Race - Nov 04, 1879]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> He then handily won re-election in 1881<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=266525 MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1880]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> and 1882 by double-digit margins.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=266526 MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1881]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref>
During his tenure, Gov. Long re-organized the state government, disputed a statewide law regarding the [[death penalty]], and cut taxes on mortgages in addition to local shipping.<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/john-davis-long/ Gov. John Davis Long]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved December 22, 2021.</ref> Viewing his administration as efficient, Long wrote in his journal that he:<ref name=masshistbio/>
{{cquote|filled [the governorship] well and honestly and not without grace and brilliancy.|||Long}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Long, John D.}}
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:United States Lieutenant Governors]]
[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]