Frederick Holbrook (February 15, 1813 – April 28, 1909) was an American farmer, businessman, and Governor of the State of Vermont.

He was raised in Vermont and educated at the Berkshire Gymnasium in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, then embarked on careers in farming and business as a resident of Brattleboro.

Holbrook served briefly in the militia, and became active in local government as Register of Probate for the Marlboro District, an office he held from 1848 to 1861.

After leaving the governorship, Holbrook declined to be a candidate for any other office and returned to his Brattleboro farming and business interests, including serving as president of the Vermont Savings Bank and president of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane's board of trustees.

[5] After settling in Brattleboro, Holbrook sang bass and directed the choir at the town's Centre Congregational Church for over 40 years.

[6] Holbrook took advantage of the farming knowledge he gained in Europe to prepare newspaper and magazine articles advocating for improved agricultural methods.

[1] Holbrook's service as president of the state agricultural society gave him the name recognition necessary for a statewide political campaign, and he was the Republican nominee for governor in 1861.

[1] His administration saw the recruitment of ten infantry regiments, two light artillery batteries, and three sharpshooter companies.

"[19] After the September 1862 Battle of Antietam, Holbrook wrote to President Abraham Lincoln to suggest that the federal government issue a call for 500,000 additional troops to increase the Union Army's ranks.

[20] Afterwards, Lincoln complimented Holbrook to his cabinet, saying that Holbrook's occasional letters offering suggestions and advice for how to prosecute the war effort were more sensible than what he received from the professional political class in and around Washington, D.C.[20] In his second inaugural address in October 1862, Holbrook told the Vermont General Assembly "It is gratifying to realize that at each and every call of our country, in her hour of peril, thousands of the young men of our State have willingly and eagerly seized arms and have gone or are going forth to battle for the Union.

"[17] After his two terms as governor, he refused to be a candidate for elective office, but did take part in government activities in which he had an interest, including accepting appointment in 1870 as an original member of the state Board of Agriculture, Manufactures and Mining.

[18][21] He also resumed his farm and business interests, including serving as president of the Vermont Savings Bank.

[23] Holbrook's funeral was attended by former governors Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, John G. McCullough, Samuel E. Pingree, and Fletcher D.

[1][18] Franklin F. Holbrook (1837–1916) was Vermont's military agent and liaison to the United States Department of War with the rank of colonel during his father's governorship.