Thomas Talbot (Massachusetts politician)

Thomas Talbot
31st Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 2, 1879 – January 8, 1880
Lieutenant	John Davis Long
Preceded by	Alexander H. Rice
Succeeded by	John Davis Long
29th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office 1873 – January 7, 1875 Acting Governor April 29, 1874 – January 7, 1875
Governor	William B. Washburn
Preceded by	Joseph Tucker
Succeeded by	Horatio G. Knight
Personal details
Born	(1818-09-07)September 7, 1818 Cambridge, New York, United States
Died	October 6, 1885(1885-10-06) (aged 67) Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Political party	Republican
Signature

Thomas Talbot (September 7, 1818 – October 6, 1885) was an American textile mill owner and politician from Massachusetts, United States. Talbot ran a major textile business, involving chemical dyeworks and the weaving of fabric, in Billerica that was a major local employer. As a Republican, he served in the state legislature, on the Massachusetts Governor's Council, and as the 29th lieutenant governor before serving for one partial term as acting governor of Massachusetts, and later for one full term as the 31st governor.

Born to Irish immigrants, Talbot was minimally educated, working in textile mills from an early age. He entered into a partnership with his brother, founding the Talbot Mills of Billerica in 1857. He became politically active, partly due to issues with the mills, and served two terms as Lieutenant Governor, acting as Governor for part of the second term after Governor William B. Washburn won election to the United States Senate. Talbot was a strong temperance advocate, and his veto of a popular alcohol licensing bill contributed to his loss in the 1874 gubernatorial race. He was more successful in 1878 against divided opposition, serving a single lackluster term.