American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

Abbott Lawrence (1792-1855) was founder of Lawrence, Massachusetts, which was at the time the center for New England's textile industry. Lawrence operated merchant and textile businesses in partnership with his brothers. He also served as an influential politician, eventually running as a Whig for vice president in the 1848 election, although he was unsuccessful in achieving the nomination. Lawrence spent the remainder of his career in various political roles, and he died in Boston.