Edward A. Lambert

Edward Augustus Lambert was born on June 10, 1813. He was an important American politician. Lambert served as the Mayor of Brooklyn, a big city near New York.

Lambert worked hard to help his community during his time in office. He lived until September 7, 1885, leaving behind a legacy of public service. His work as mayor helped shape the growth of Brooklyn during a time of change.

Life

Edward Augustus Lambert was born on June 10, 1813, in New York City, New York. When he was young, his father, who worked on a merchant ship, was lost at sea. From the age of 12, Lambert worked on his own, starting as a clerk for an importing house. In 1832, he began working in the stationery business.

Lambert moved to Brooklyn in 1846. In 1849, he was elected alderman of the Fourth Ward as a Democrat. In 1850, he became alderman of the new Tenth Ward and president of the board of aldermen. In 1852, he was elected Mayor of Brooklyn, serving from 1853 to 1854. During his time as mayor, he helped develop horse railroads, introduced a permanent water supply for the city, and enforced the Sunday Law. In 1854, he returned from a health trip to Europe just as a Know-Nothing Riot broke out between the Irish and members of the Know-Nothing Party. He worked to stop the riot.

During the American Civil War, Lambert encouraged volunteers to join early on and helped organize a meeting in Fort Greene in April 1861. In 1862, he was part of a committee that cared for wounded and sick soldiers. In 1864, he helped organize the Sanitary Fair. He also served as president of the Craftsman Life Insurance Company and later worked in a wholesale stationery business.

Lambert was active in his faith. He joined the Central Presbyterian Church of New York in 1830 and helped start the Third Free Presbyterian Church of New York, later known as the Houston Street Presbyterian Church. When he moved to Brooklyn, he joined the South Presbyterian Church there. In 1857, he helped organize the Park Presbyterian Church, later called the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church. He served as an elder in several churches and attended the General Assemblies in several years.

Lambert passed away at home on September 7, 1885, and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.