GEORGE PEABODY WETMORE was born in London, England during his parents’ travels abroad. He completed his undergraduate education at Yale University and studied law at Columbia University. He began his political career soon after finishing school, serving as a presidential elector and holding membership on the state committee appointed to receive representatives of France during their visit to Rhode Island. Wetmore went on to serve two terms as governor before being defeated by a Democrat in the election of 1887. Three years after leaving office, he was appointed to the commission responsible for arranging construction of the Rhode Island State House. He went on to be elected to the U.S. Senate three times, resigning his seat near the end of his third term.