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Osborne (THOMAS MOTT An American)

THOMAS MOTT. An American penologist and manufacturer, born in 1859, and a graduate of the class of '84 at Harvard. Upon entering business he became president of the Auburn Publishing Company and was associated in an official capacity with many other firms. At his birthplace, Auburn, N. Y. he took an active interest in politics, being mayor of the city from 1903-1905. His interest at this time was aroused by conditions in prisons and he became a member of the National Committee on Prison Reform. In 1913 he had himself committed to the Auburn State Prison the better to study the conditions of the prisoners. From 1914-1916 he was warden of Sing Sing prison, where his humane work attracted national attention.