The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Philip

ALLEN, Philip, governor of Rhode Island, was born in Providence, R. I., Sept. 1, 1785. In 1803 he was graduated at Rhode Island college, and then engaged in the importation of goods from the West Indies. The war of 1812 hindered this business, and he began to manufacture cotton goods at Smithfield, R. I., gradually acquiring a foremost position in that industry. He was noted for introducing improvements into his mills, and the "Allen Prints," manufactured at the works which he established at Providence, R. I., in 1831, made his name familiar to every housewife in the country. He acquired prominence as a statesman, being elected to the Rhode Island legislature in 1819; also serving on the committee for the settlement of the state debt. He was democratic governor of Rhode Island in 1851, and was re-elected to the same office in 1852 and 1853. He was a United States senator from Rhode Island from 1853 to 1859, and served on the committees on commerce and naval affairs. He died at his home in Providence, Dec. 16, 1865.