Oliver Ames (governor)

Oliver Ames
35th Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 6, 1887 – January 7, 1890
Lieutenant	John Q. A. Brackett
Preceded by	George D. Robinson
Succeeded by	John Q. A. Brackett
33rd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 4, 1883 – January 6, 1887
Governor	Benjamin F. Butler George D. Robinson
Preceded by	Byron Weston
Succeeded by	John Q. A. Brackett
Member of the Massachusetts Senate[1]
In office 1881–1882
Personal details
Born	(1831-02-04)February 4, 1831 Easton, Massachusetts
Died	October 22, 1895(1895-10-22) (aged 64) Easton, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Anna Coffin Ray
Children	Oakes Ames
Relatives	Ames family
Profession	Businessman, investor, philanthropist, politician
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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 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.