Sheldon Whitehouse

official U.S. Senate photo of Sheldon Whitehouse c. 2010

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: October 20, 1955

Ethnicity: English

Sheldon Whitehouse is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, since January 3, 2007. He was previously U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, from January 20, 1993 to June 8, 1998, and the 71st Attorney General of Rhode Island, from January 2, 1999 to January 7, 2003.

Sheldon is the son of Mary Celine (Rand) and Charles Sheldon Whitehouse, a career diplomat. His father was born in Paris, France, to American parents, from New York, and was the U.S. Ambassador to Laos, from September 20, 1973 to April 12, 1975, and the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, from May 30, 1975 to June 19, 1978. His grandfather was diplomat Edwin Whitehouse, and his great-great-grandfather, Charles Crocker, was a railroad executive, who was among the founders of Central Pacific Railroad.

Sheldon is married to marine biologist Sandra Thornton, with whom he has two children. Sandra is the granddaughter of businessperson James Worth Thornton, and the great-granddaughter of Henry Worth Thornton, who was president of Canadian National Railways.

Sheldon is an Episcopalian.

Sheldon’s paternal grandfather was Edwin Sheldon Whitehouse (the son of William Fitzhugh Whitehouse and Frances Abigail Sheldon). Sheldon’s grandfather Edwin was born in New York, and was U.S. Minister to Guatemala, from March 21, 1930 to July 23, 1933, and U.S. Minister to Colombia, from December 6, 1933 to December 8, 1934. Edwin’s great-grandfather William was the son of The Rt. Rev. Henry John Whitehouse, who was the Episcopalian bishop of Illinois, and of Evelina/Evelena Harriet Bruen. Frances was the daughter of Edwin Holmes Sheldon and Frances Ogden.

Sheldon’s paternal grandmother was Mary Crocker Alexander (the daughter of Charles Beatty Alexander and Harriet Valentine “Hattie” Crocker). Mary was born in New York. Charles was the son of Henry Martyn Alexander and Susan Mary Brown. Harriet was the daughter of Charles Crocker and Mary Ann Deming.

Sheldon’s maternal grandfather was Rufus Randall Rand (the son of Rufus Randall Rand and Susan J. Mealey). Sheldon’s grandfather Rufus was born in Minnesota. Sheldon’s great-grandfather Rufus was the son of Alonzo Cooper Rand and Mary Celina/Celine Johnson. Susan was the daughter of Tobias Gilmore Mealey and Catherine Jane Prescott/Prescot, who were from New Brunswick, Canada.

Sheldon’s maternal grandmother was Helen Starkweather Chase (the daughter of Frederick Starkweather Chase and Elsie Rowland). Helen was born in Connecticut. Frederick was the son of Augustus Sabin Chase and Martha Clark Starkweather. Elsie was the daughter of The Rev. Edmund Rowland and Sarah Belknap.

Sources: Genealogies of Sheldon Whitehouse – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
https://www.geni.com