Representative Melville Bull

Melville Bull served as a Representative from Rhode Island in the United States Congress from 1895 to 1903. A member of the Republican Party, Melville Bull contributed to the legislative process during 4 terms in office.

Melville Bull’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Melville Bull participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Melville Bull (September 29, 1854 – July 5, 1909) was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Bull attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, and graduated from Harvard University in 1877. He was then involved in farming in the vicinity of Newport. He served as member of the State house of representatives from 1883 to 1885 and as a state senator from 1885 to 1892. He served as member of the Republican State central committee and served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1888. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island from 1892 to 1894 under Governor D. Russell Brown. Bull was a charter member of the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars in 1897. Bull was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1895, to March 3, 1903). He served as chairman of the Committee on Accounts (Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1902 to the Fifty-eighth Congress. He lived in Middletown, Rhode Island, until his death on July 5, 1909, and was interred in Island Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island.