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Upon graduation, Kent returned to Chicago and entered the [[real estate]] and [[livestock]] businesses. He also became involved in politics, becoming a member of the [[city council]] and president of the Municipal Voter's League of Chicago.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://drs.library.yale.edu/HLTransformer/HLTransServlet?stylename=yul.ead2002.xhtml.xsl&pid=mssa:ms.0309&clear-stylesheet-cache=yes|title = Guide to the William Kent Family Papers|date = 1961|accessdate = November 6, 2014|website = Yale University Library|publisher = Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library|last = |first = }}</ref>
Upon graduation, Kent returned to Chicago and entered the [[real estate]] and [[livestock]] businesses. He also became involved in politics, becoming a member of the [[city council]] and president of the Municipal Voter's League of Chicago.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://drs.library.yale.edu/HLTransformer/HLTransServlet?stylename=yul.ead2002.xhtml.xsl&pid=mssa:ms.0309&clear-stylesheet-cache=yes|title = Guide to the William Kent Family Papers|date = 1961|accessdate = November 6, 2014|website = Yale University Library|publisher = Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library|last = |first = }}</ref>


In 1907, Kent returned to California and entered federal politics by earning election as a progressive [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] to the [[62nd United States Congress]]. For the [[63rd United States Congress|63rd]] and [[64th United States Congress|64th Congress]]especially, he was re-elected as an Independent. In total, he served in Congress from March 4, 1911 to March 4, 1917.
In 1907, Kent returned to California and entered federal politics by winning election in 1910 as a progressive [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] to the [[62nd United States Congress]]. For the [[63rd United States Congress|63rd]] and [[64th United States Congress|64th Congresses]], Kent was re-elected as an Independent. In total, Kent served in Congress from March 4, 1911 to March 4, 1917.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=k000127|title=KENT, William - Biographical Information|website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=2019-11-10}}</ref>


Kent was a vocal proponent of anti-Asian and exclusionary immigration policies throughout his political career.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/williamkent.htm|title=William Kent: Conservationist and Anti-Immigrant Politician (U.S. National Park Service)|website=www.nps.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-10}}</ref> Campaigning in 1910, Kent told the [[Asiatic Exclusion League]] that "I have made a large part of my campaign on the Asiatic Exclusion idea, comparing it with the racial troubles brought on by the needless importation of negroes."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WrVFAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA243|title=Proceedings of the Asiatic Exclusion League|last=League|first=Asiatic Exclusion|date=1908|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=|language=en}}</ref> In Congress, Kent pushed legislation barring Asian immigrants from owning land, becoming U.S. citizens, and entering the United States altogether.<ref name=":3" /> Kent also supported legislation instituting a literacy test for prospective immigrants, explaining he would "rather have a test of blood and race, and confine our immigration to northern Europe, but failing that, the literacy test."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2018/10/31/refugees-or-threat-how-we-see-migrants-reveals-our-competing-visions-america/|title=Refugees or threat? How we see migrants reveals our competing visions for America.|last=Petit|first=Jeanne|last2=|first2=|date=|website=Washington Post|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-11-10|last3=|first3=|last4=|last5=|first5=}}</ref>
⚫
In 1916, Kent was the lead sponsor of the legislation in the House of Representatives to create the [[National Park Service]]. The similar Senate bill was sponsored by [[Reed Smoot]]. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on July 1, 1916, passed the Senate on August 5, and was signed by President [[Woodrow Wilson]] on August 25, 1916.<ref>{{Cite journal

⚫
In 1916, Kent was the lead sponsor of legislation in the House of Representatives establishing the [[National Park Service]], with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by [[Reed Smoot]]. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on July 1, 1916, passed the Senate on August 5, and was signed by President [[Woodrow Wilson]] on August 25, 1916.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Swain
| last = Swain
| first = Donald C.
| first = Donald C.
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Kent was also heavily involved in local politics; he was one of the major supporters of the creation of the [[Marin Municipal Water District]] in 1911, and he also backed early efforts for a Golden Gate Bridge. While Kent supported conservation, he also actively worked to promote growth and development in Marin during his independent turn to pragmatic Liberal Progressivism, such as his support for the [[Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway]], a renowned [[Marin County]] attraction that was partially funded by his father, Albert Emmett Kent. His wealth as one of the major landowners in the county increased greatly as property values rose.
Kent was also heavily involved in local politics; he was one of the major supporters of the creation of the [[Marin Municipal Water District]] in 1911, and he also backed early efforts for a Golden Gate Bridge. While Kent supported conservation, he also actively worked to promote growth and development in Marin during his independent turn to pragmatic Liberal Progressivism, such as his support for the [[Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway]], a renowned [[Marin County]] attraction that was partially funded by his father, Albert Emmett Kent. His wealth as one of the major landowners in the county increased greatly as property values rose.


After leaving Congress, Kent was appointed by President [[Woodrow Wilson]] to the [[United States International Trade Commission|United States Tariff Commission]] in 1917. In lobbying the Wilson administration for his appointment, Kent alluded to a possible run for [[governor of California]], writing Wilson ally [[Norman Hapgood]] that "I probably could secure the governorship here if I wanted it, but I do not like the idea of getting down to state matters when my view has been directed at national affairs."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.usitc.gov/documents/final_centennial_history_508_compliant_v2.pdf|title=A Centennial History of the USITC|last=|first=|publisher=United States International Trade Commission|year=November 2017|isbn=|location=|pages=114}}</ref> Kent served on the Tariff Commission until his resignation in 1920 to make an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
After his time in Congress, Kent was appointed to the United States Tariff Commission, now the [[United States International Trade Commission]]) and served from March 21, 1917 to March 31, 1920.


==Death==
==Death==
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
He was married to Elizabeth Sherman Thacher on February 26, 1890.<ref name=":0" /> His wife, [[Elizabeth Thacher Kent]], was the daughter of Yale professor and administrator [[Thomas Anthony Thacher]]. Together they had seven children including sons [[Sherman Kent]] (Yale professor and alumni of the US Central Intelligence Agency) and [[Roger Kent]] (US politician). His daughter was prominent artist, [[Adaline Kent]].<ref name=":0" /> [[Sherman Day Thacher]] was his brother-in-law.
He was married to Elizabeth Sherman Thacher on February 26, 1890.<ref name=":0" /> His wife, [[Elizabeth Thacher Kent]], was the daughter of Yale professor and administrator [[Thomas Anthony Thacher]]. Together they had seven children including sons [[Sherman Kent]] (Yale professor and alumni of the US Central Intelligence Agency) and [[Roger Kent]] (US politician). His daughter was prominent artist, [[Adaline Kent]].<ref name=":0" /> [[Sherman Day Thacher]] was his brother-in-law.

=== Career ===
He graduated from [[Yale University]] in 1887, where he was a member of [[Skull and Bones]].<ref name="Yaleobit192728">{{cite web | url=http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1925_1952/1927-28.pdf | title=Obituary Record of Yale Graduates 1927-1928 | accessdate=March 26, 2011 | date=15 September 1928 | publisher=Yale University|page = 103}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==

Revision as of 23:11, 10 November 2019

For other people named William Kent, see William Kent (disambiguation).
William Kent
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1917
Preceded byJohn E. Raker
Succeeded byClarence F. Lea
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1913
Preceded byDuncan E. McKinlay
Succeeded byJohn E. Raker
Personal details
Born
William Kent

(1868-04-29)29 April 1868
Died13 April 1928(1928-04-13) (aged 59)
Kentfield, California, U.S.
Political partyProgressive Republican; Independent
SpouseElizabeth Thacher Kent
Alma materYale University
Elizabeth Thacher Kent (1868–1952) in 1916

William Kent (March 29, 1864 – March 13, 1928) was an American who served as a United States Congressman representing the State of California. He spearheaded the movement to create the Muir Woods National Monument by donating land to the Federal Government for the Monument.

Early life

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 29, 1864.[1] His parents, Adaline Elizabeth Dutton and Albert Emmett Kent (A.E. Kent)[1] moved the family to Marin County in California in 1871. His father, Albert Emmett Kent, had bought 800 acres of valley land that would later become the town Kentfield, California.[2]

He graduated from Yale University in 1887, where he was a member of Skull and Bones.[3]

Career

Upon graduation, Kent returned to Chicago and entered the real estate and livestock businesses. He also became involved in politics, becoming a member of the city council and president of the Municipal Voter's League of Chicago.[4]

In 1907, Kent returned to California and entered federal politics by winning election in 1910 as a progressive Republican to the 62nd United States Congress. For the 63rd and 64th Congresses, Kent was re-elected as an Independent. In total, Kent served in Congress from March 4, 1911 to March 4, 1917.[5]

Kent was a vocal proponent of anti-Asian and exclusionary immigration policies throughout his political career.[6] Campaigning in 1910, Kent told the Asiatic Exclusion League that "I have made a large part of my campaign on the Asiatic Exclusion idea, comparing it with the racial troubles brought on by the needless importation of negroes."[7] In Congress, Kent pushed legislation barring Asian immigrants from owning land, becoming U.S. citizens, and entering the United States altogether.[6] Kent also supported legislation instituting a literacy test for prospective immigrants, explaining he would "rather have a test of blood and race, and confine our immigration to northern Europe, but failing that, the literacy test."[8]

In 1916, Kent was the lead sponsor of legislation in the House of Representatives establishing the National Park Service, with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by Reed Smoot. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on July 1, 1916, passed the Senate on August 5, and was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916.[9]

Kent was also heavily involved in local politics; he was one of the major supporters of the creation of the Marin Municipal Water District in 1911, and he also backed early efforts for a Golden Gate Bridge. While Kent supported conservation, he also actively worked to promote growth and development in Marin during his independent turn to pragmatic Liberal Progressivism, such as his support for the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway, a renowned Marin County attraction that was partially funded by his father, Albert Emmett Kent. His wealth as one of the major landowners in the county increased greatly as property values rose.

After leaving Congress, Kent was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to the United States Tariff Commission in 1917. In lobbying the Wilson administration for his appointment, Kent alluded to a possible run for governor of California, writing Wilson ally Norman Hapgood that "I probably could secure the governorship here if I wanted it, but I do not like the idea of getting down to state matters when my view has been directed at national affairs."[10] Kent served on the Tariff Commission until his resignation in 1920 to make an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.[5][6]

Death

Kent died on March 13, 1928 in Kentfield, California from pneumonia.[4] His remains were cremated in Oakland, California. He was survived by wife, five sons, two daughters, and ten grandchildren.[4]

Personal life

He was married to Elizabeth Sherman Thacher on February 26, 1890.[1] His wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, was the daughter of Yale professor and administrator Thomas Anthony Thacher. Together they had seven children including sons Sherman Kent (Yale professor and alumni of the US Central Intelligence Agency) and Roger Kent (US politician). His daughter was prominent artist, Adaline Kent.[1] Sherman Day Thacher was his brother-in-law.

Legacy

Kent was also a philanthropist and budding Liberal Progressive. Together with his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, he purchased 611 acres (2500 ha) of one of the last remaining stands of coast redwoods along Redwood Creek north of San Francisco Bay. To protect the redwood grove from development, he donated 295 acres (119 ha) to the federal government. President Theodore Roosevelt declared the area a national monument in 1908. He suggested naming the monument after Kent, who demurred and suggested the name Muir Woods National Monument, after naturalist John Muir.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sherman, Thomas Townsend (1920). Sherman Genealogy Including Families of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, England: Some Descendants of the Immigrants, Captain John Sherman, Reverend John Sherman, Edmund Sherman and Samuel Sherman, and the Descendents of Honorable Roger Sherman and Honorable Charles R. Sherman. New York, NY: T. A. Wright. p. 365.
  2. ^ "Greenbrae and Kentfield - Overview". Realty Of Marin. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  3. ^ "Obituary Record of Yale Graduates 1927-1928" (PDF). Yale University. 15 September 1928. p. 103. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "Guide to the William Kent Family Papers". Yale University Library. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library. 1961. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "KENT, William - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  6. ^ a b c "William Kent: Conservationist and Anti-Immigrant Politician (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  7. ^ League, Asiatic Exclusion (1908). Proceedings of the Asiatic Exclusion League.
  8. ^ Petit, Jeanne. "Refugees or threat? How we see migrants reveals our competing visions for America". Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-11-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Swain, Donald C. (September 1969). "The Founding of the National Park Service". The American West. VI (5). Palo Alto, CA: American West Publishing Company: 6–9. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ A Centennial History of the USITC (PDF). United States International Trade Commission. November 2017. p. 114.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 2nd congressional district
1911–1913 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
John Raker
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 1st congressional district
1913–1917 		Succeeded by
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