Oliver Ames

Life & Legacy

Oliver Ames (February 4, 1831 – October 22, 1895) was an American businessman, investor, philanthropist, and Republican politician who served as the 35th governor of Massachusetts from 1887 to 1890.
Ames's public life was primarily devoted to the vindication of his late father Oakes Ames, a businessman and U.S. Representative who was censured for his role in the 1873 Credit Mobilier scandal and died shortly thereafter. His tenure in office was also marked by a divide within the state over the growing temperance movement.
Ames was executor of his father's estate, and took over many of his business interests. He was a major philanthropist, especially in his hometown of Easton, where he secured construction of a number of architecturally significant works by the architect H.H. Richardson and a number of properties by landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted.
Oliver Ames High School in Easton is named after him.