# Lorenzo A. Babcock *American attorney and politician; first attorney general of Minnesota Territory* Lorenzo Allen Babcock (June 15, 1820 – April 2, 1860) was an American lawyer and politician. From 1849 to 1853 he was the first person to hold the post of attorney general of [[Minnesota Territory]].[^1] While a Whig, Babcock sat in both chambers of the territorial legislature. He was in the House of Representatives in 1849 and on the Territorial Council from 1852 to 1853. After the Republican Party was organized in the mid-1850s, he joined it.[^1] ## Early life and family Babcock was a native of Berkshire, Vermont, born to Elias Babcock and Clara (Olmstead) Babcock. Orville E. Babcock was one of his siblings.[^1] ## Career After reading law, Babcock practised as an attorney. His first legislative seat was in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives, where he served in 1849 as a member of the Whig Party. He returned to the territorial legislature in 1852 as a member of the Council and remained there until 1853.[^1] His appointment as territorial attorney general also came in 1849. That office was the predecessor of the [[Attorney General of Minnesota]]. He held it for four years, until 1853, which overlapped with his Council term. His move from the Whigs to the Republicans followed the new party's founding in the mid-1850s.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Lorenzo Allen Babcock, attorney and politician. Born to Elias Babcock and Clara (Olmstead) Babcock.[^1] ### What - First attorney general of Minnesota Territory.[^1] - Member, Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives (1849). Member, Minnesota Territorial Council (1852–1853).[^1] ### When - Born June 15, 1820. Appointed territorial attorney general in 1849 and served until 1853. Died April 2, 1860.[^1] ### Where - Born in Berkshire, Vermont. Held office in Minnesota Territory.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Lorenzo A. Babcock* (revision 1355721413, retrieved 2026-10-25) — birth and death dates, birthplace, parents and sibling, legal practice, territorial legislative service, attorney general appointment and term, party affiliation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_A._Babcock