Representative William Whitney Rice

William Whitney Rice served as a Representative from Massachusetts in the United States Congress from 1877 to 1887. A member of the Republican Party, William Whitney Rice contributed to the legislative process during 5 terms in office.

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

William Whitney Rice (March 7, 1826 – March 1, 1896) was a U.S. representative from Massachusetts. Born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, Rice attended Gorham Academy, Maine, and graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, in 1846. He served as the preceptor of Leicester Academy, Leicester, Massachusetts from 1847 to 1851 before studying law in Worcester. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and commenced practice in Worcester. In 1858 he was appointed judge of insolvency for Worcester County. Rice was elected mayor of the city of Worcester in December 1859. He served as district attorney for the middle district of Massachusetts from 1868 to 1874 and was a member of the State house of representatives in 1875. Rice was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1885. Rice was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1887). After a failed re-election bid in 1886, he returned to Worcester and resumed the practice of law. He died there on March 1, 1896, at age 69, and was interred at Worcester Rural Cemetery.