author
Franklin P. (Franklin Pierce) Rice
1852–1919
A self-taught printer and historian, this Worcester-based antiquarian helped preserve Massachusetts history by publishing town records and other local documents that might otherwise have been lost. His work became an important resource for genealogists, researchers, and anyone curious about New England's past.
1 Audiobook
Vital Records of the Town of Auburn, (Formerly Ward), Massachusetts, To the end of the year 1850 With the Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds
by Franklin P. (Franklin Pierce) Rice
About the author
Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in 1852, Franklin Pierce Rice built a career through determination and deep curiosity rather than formal academic training. He became known as a printer, publisher, and historian in Worcester, where he devoted much of his life to collecting, transcribing, and printing historical records.
Rice is especially remembered for preserving vital records and town documents from Massachusetts communities. He also helped found the Worcester Society of Antiquity, which later became the Worcester Historical Museum, showing how strongly he believed local history deserved careful attention and public support.
Alongside his documentary work, he wrote and published books focused on Worcester and its past. He died in 1919, but his editions of town records and his broader efforts to safeguard historical sources still make him a valuable figure for readers interested in New England history, genealogy, and the craft of preservation.