Edward L. Keyes (circa 1812-June 6, 1859) represented Dedham, Massachusetts in the Great and General Court in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.[1][2] He also served on the Massachusetts Governor's Council and in the Constitutional Convention of 1853.[2]
Keyes was born to Dr. Justus and Betsey (née Corey) Keyes.[2] He was the brother of General Erasmus Darwin Keyes.[2]
He had only a common school education with one or two terms at an academy.[2] He had a keen taste for literature, and his youthful ambition led him to employ his leisure time in the acquisition of knowledge.[2] He distinguished himself in the Lyceums and was regarded as a brilliant youth.[2] He went to Boston as a clerk in a wholesale store, and availed himself of the facilities for acquiring knowledge so abundantly afforded by that city.[2]
He is buried in the Brooks tomb in Medford, Massachusetts.[2]
While in Boston, Keyes wrote articles for the daily papers. He took a leading part in the formation of the Free Soil Party.[2] In 1844, he bought the printing establishment of the Dedham Gazette.[2]
He died from softening of the brain, in the hospital in Taunton, Massachusetts on June 6, 1859, at the age of 47.[2] He represented Dedham for two years in the House of Representatives.[2][1] In 1851 and 1852 he represented the County of Norfolk in the State Senate.[2] In 1848, he was a member of the Executive Council, and in 1853, represented the town of Abington, Massachusetts in the Constitutional Convention.[2] He was also one of the Commissioners for the erection of the State Alms Houses.[2] For several years, "Keyes was one of the foremost young men of the Massachusetts."[2]