Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814) of Massachusetts owned:
An introduction to botany : in a series of familiar letters with engravings by Priscilla Wakefield
A treatise on the culture & management of fruit trees; in which a new method of pruning & training is fully ... by William Forsyth
The botanist being the botanical part of a course of lectures on natural history, delivered in the university at ... by Benjamin Waterhouse
Histoire des plantes qui naissent aux environs de Paris, avec leur usage dans la médecine by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort
He was a member of the Massachusetts General Court from 1772-1775 and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, 1776-1780 (during which time he signed the Declaration of Independence), and again 1783-1785. Gerry also served as a Massachusetts delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he was one of three not to sign the final document (in protest to the omission of a bill of rights, among other points of opposition).
Gerry was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives under the new federal government, serving in the First and Second Congresses (1789-1793). Gerry supported most policies of the Washington administration during his time in Congress. After his retirement from the House, Gerry was sent to France in 1797 as a member of the delegation which became involved with the infamous XYZ affair.
Changing political allegiances, Gerry ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic-Republican candidate for the governorship of Massachusetts in 1800, 1801, 1802 and 1803, but was successful in the 1810 and 1811 campaigns. He was defeated again in 1812, partly over the political controversy surrounding his most famous legacy, the gerrymander (he supported, but did not initiate, the redistricting bill which resulted in that funny-shaped legislative district).
Gerry was elected the fifth vice president of the United States in the election of 1812, serving under James Madison. He died in office (becoming the second VP to do so) on 23 November 1814. Gerry's wife, born Ann Thompson, survived until 1849; she was the last surviving widow of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The couple had three sons and four daughters.
Gerry was elected the fifth vice president of the United States in the election of 1812, serving under James Madison. He died in office (becoming the second VP to do so) on 23 November 1814. Gerry's wife, born Ann Thompson, survived until 1849; she was the last surviving widow of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The couple had three sons and four daughters.
This known portion of Gerry's library is listed in Catalogue of a Collection of valuable and scarce Books, Being part of the Library of the late Elbridge Gerry, esq. To be sold for the benefit of the Widow and Minor Children of the deceased, at the store of Francis Amory, No. 41, Marlborough-Street, On Tuesday morning, 18th April 1815.
