Title Mayor of Louisville Name Frederick Kaye Spouse(s) Rachel C. McLaughlin | Political party Whig Term 1837-1840, 1844-1846 | |
Born April 21, 1796 ( 1796-04-21 ) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A. Died April 29, 1866(1866-04-29) (aged 70)
Breckinridge County, Kentucky, U.S.A. | ||
Frederick A. Kaye (April 21, 1796 – April 29, 1866) was the fourth and sixth mayor of Louisville, Kentucky. His term of office extended from 1837 to 1840 and 1844 to 1846. He was the son of parents from Pennsylvania, who came to Louisville, where Frederick was born, in the late 18th century. They purchased a half acre of land in 1789 and later in that year built what is believed to have been the first brick home in Louisville, on Market street between Fifth and Sixth.
Kaye served on the city council from 1830 to 1832 and took office on March 15, 1837. He was elected by the city council, and was the last mayor to be chosen this way, which was proving to be very controversial and difficult (it took 13 ballots before Kaye was chosen in 1837). In 1838, the state legislature amended the city charter to allow for direct election, and also extended terms from one year to three, but prevented incumbents for running for re-election. Kaye served two non-consecutive terms. He served also president of the Board of Aldermen from 1855 to 1856.
He is buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.