George Bancroft

b. October 3, 1800, Worcester, Massachusetts
d. January 17, 1891, Washington, D.C.

Historian (The History of the United States (1834–'74)) and statesman (United States Secretary of the Navy, 1845-'46; United States Minister to the United Kingdom, 1846-'49). In the later years of his life he summered at Rose Cliff, forerunner of the current Rosecliff mansion, in Newport. The property was named for the American Beauty roses that Bancroft was fond of cultivating.

Bancroft was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1984.