Wallace Rider Farrington

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1927 Time cover featuring Farrington
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1927 Time cover featuring Farrington

Wallace Rider Farrington (May 3, 1871October 6, 1933) was the sixth Territorial Governor of Hawai'i, serving from 1929 to 1933. Prior to his term, he was editor of the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspapers.

Farrington was born in Orono, Penobscot County, Maine on May 3, 1871. An avid traveler, he found himself in Honolulu, Hawai'i and was persuaded to stay to become the editor of the Honolulu Advertiser. He left the newspaper after three years of service to become the editor of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Interested in local politics, he was elected Mayor of Honolulu. In 1921, he was appointed by President of the United States Calvin Coolidge to become the Territorial Governor of Hawai'i. He served as a Republican through 1929 when he retired from public life. Suffering from heart disease, he died on October 6, 1933.

Farrington was memorialized with the dedication of Wallace Rider Farrington High School in the historic Kalihi district of Honolulu. The school adopted The Governors as its nickname and mascot, in honor of the school's namesake.

Farrington was the father of Joseph Rider Farrington, a member of the Senate of the Territory of Hawai'i and the territory's delegate to the United States Congress. He died in office and was succeeded by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Pruett Farrington, who carried on the Farrington name.

Preceded by:
Charles J. McCarthy
Territorial Governor of Hawai‘i
19211929
Succeeded by:
Lawrence M. Judd