Ferdinand Claiborne Latrobe

Who was Ferdinand Claiborne Latrobe?

Ferdinand Claiborne Latrobe served seven terms as Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland during the 19th century.

Latrobe was born in Baltimore, the son of John H.B. Latrobe and Virginia Charlotte Claiborne, and the grandson of the American architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. In his mother's line, he was the grandson of Gen. Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne and the great-nephew of William C. C. Claiborne, Governor of Mississippi, the Louisiana Territory, and the State of Louisiana. He was thus part of a widespread political dynasty.

He was educated at the College of St. James in Washington County, Maryland. After serving as clerk in a mercantile house in Baltimore and as counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1858, Latrobe studied law with his father, and was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1860. In 1860, he was also appointed judge-advocate-general by Governor Thomas H. Hicks, and assisted in reorganizing the Maryland militia under the Act of 1868, of which he was the author.

He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1867, serving until 1872, and was Speaker of the House in 1870. While serving in the House he held the position of Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.