Frederic White Cook (May 2, 1873November 16, 1951) was an American

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

who served as the

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth The secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Originally appointed under authority of the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Eng ...

from 1921 to 1949. As of 2023 he is the last Republican to ever serve in that office.

Early life

Cook was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on May 2, 1873 to Sanford Reuben Cook and his wife Harriet Frances (Dassance) Cook. Cook attended the Somerville public schools.

Family life

On December 19, 1905, Cook married Kathleen Russell, of

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

. They stayed married until her death in Somerville, Massachusetts on April 30, 1947.

Early career

Cook started out as the assistant clerk of committees, for the city of Somerville. On January 25, 1901, Cook was appointed to the newly created position of Assistant City Clerk of Somerville at a Salary of $1400 a Year. In 1905 Cook Became the City Clerk of Somerville.

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

In 1920 Cook was elected to be the

, a position he would hold for a record 28 years.

Death

Cook died November 16, 1951.

References

Politicians from Somerville, Massachusetts Secretaries of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1873 births 1951 deaths Massachusetts Republicans {{Massachusetts-politician-stub