The Sage of the Log Cabin: The Life of Senator Thomas W. Palmer

The Sage of the Log Cabin traces the life and times of Michigan’s U.S. Senator Thomas W. Palmer (1830 to 1913) and his wife, Elizabeth (1837 to 1916). After serving in various positions, Thomas became a U.S. Senator (1883 to 1889) and delivered the first speech advocating for women’s suffrage ever given in the U.S. Senate. He served as Envoy to Spain and President of the Chicago Columbian Exhibition (World’s Fair). Mrs. Palmer endowed the Merrill Palmer Institute for Motherhood and Home Training, now the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University.

About the Author

Gregory C. Piazza is a retired fundraising executive in the nonprofit field in Michigan. He has researched, written and conducted tours of historic Detroit districts and architects for the last 30 years. His research led to the designation of the Palmer Park apartments National Historic Places District. He has also written A History of Detroit’s Palmer Park (2015).