Paul W. Foster

Paul W. Foster (April 19, 1893 – December 11, 1952) was an American newspaper publisher and government official who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and chairman of the state Commission of Administration and Finance.

Paul W. Foster
Chairman of the Commission of Administration and Finance
In office 1942–1945
Preceded by	Angier Goodwin
Succeeded by	Thomas H. Buckley
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 5th Berkshire district
In office 1937–1942
Personal details
Born	(1893-04-19)April 19, 1893 Wakefield, Massachusetts
Died	December 11, 1952(1952-12-11) (aged 59) Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican
Occupation	Newspaper publisher

Early life

Foster was born on April 19, 1893, in Wakefield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Searles High School in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.^[1]

Publishing

Foster was the son of newspaper owner and publisher Maitland P. Foster.^[2] He began his career with his father's paper, the Littleton Courier. In 1911, he joined the staff of another of his father's papers, the Berkshire Courier.^[3] The Fosters also published the Berkshire Gleaner until 1942, when the paper was shut down for financial reasons.^[2]

Government

Foster held a number of public offices in Great Barrington. He was a member of the town's finance committee, board of assessors, board of selectmen and was the town tax collector. From 1937 to 1942, he represented the 5th Berkshire district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.^[1] In 1942, he was appointed chairman of the state Commission of Administration and Finance by Governor Leverett Saltonstall.^[4] He was replaced by Saltonstall's successor, Maurice J. Tobin, in 1945.^[5]

Later life

After leaving state office, Foster was the executive director of the Berkshire Hills Conference. He died on December 11, 1952, in Great Barrington.^[3]