William Kent

Who was William Kent?

William Kent was an American who served as a United States Congressman representing the State of California. He spearheaded the movement to create the Muir Woods National Monument by donating land to the Federal Government for the Monument.

Kent was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents moved the family to Marin County in California in the year 1871. He graduated from Yale University in 1887, where he was a member of Skull and Bones.

Upon graduation, Kent returned to Chicago and entered the real estate and livestock businesses. He also became involved in politics, becoming a member of the city council and president of the Municipal Voter's League of Chicago.

In 1907, Kent returned to California and entered the national stage of politics by earning election as a Progressive Republican to the 62nd United States Congress. For the 63rd and 64th Congresses he was reelected as an Independent. In total, he served in Congress from March 4, 1911 to March 4, 1917.

In 1916, Kent was the lead sponsor of the legislation in the House of Representatives that created the National Park Service. The similar Senate bill was sponsored by Reed Smoot. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on July 1, 1916, passed the Senate on August 5, and was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916.