Robert B. Cranston

This article is about the American politician. For the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, see Robert Cranston (Scottish politician).

Robert Bennie Cranston (January 14, 1791 – January 27, 1873) was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, brother of Henry Young Cranston.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Cranston attended the public schools. He was employed in the collection of internal revenue 1812–1815. Sheriff of Newport County 1818–1827. Postmaster of Newport in 1827.

Cranston was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1843). He served as member of the State house of representatives 1843–1847, and served one year as speaker. He served in the State senate.

Cranston was elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849). He was elected the first mayor of Newport on June 9, 1853. He resigned the same day. He served as presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1864. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, January 27, 1873. He was interred in the Island Cemetery in Newport.

Sources

• Robert B. Cranston at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by William Sprague III	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's at-large congressional district March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1843	Succeeded by District inactive
Preceded by Henry Y. Cranston	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st congressional district March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849	Succeeded by George G. King