Sumner Increase Kimball

Sumner Increase Kimball
General Superintendent of the United States Life-Saving Service
In office 1878–1915
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
In office 1859–1861
Personal details
Born	(1834-09-02)September 2, 1834 Lebanon, Maine, United States
Died	June 20, 1923(1923-06-20) (aged 88) Washington, D.C., United States
Alma mater	Bowdoin College
Signature

Sumner Increase Kimball (September 2, 1834 – June 20, 1923) was the organizer of the United States Life-Saving Service and the General Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service from 1878–1915. Originally a lawyer and a legislative administrator, Kimball spent his life creating and leading the Life-Saving Service, one of the predecessor services that eventually became the U.S. Coast Guard, transforming it from an uneven collection of facilities round the U.S. coastline into a coherent and well-trained organization.