He was a director of several Rhode Island banks and was prominent in local Democratic politics, nominated for the positions of mayor of Pawtucket, and governor and senator.

George Littlefield was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, in 1824, a member of a large family.

[1] Littlefield died at his home in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on December 19, 1902, and was buried in Swan Point Cemetery.

At the time of the Littlefield gift, the university was in deep financial difficulty, "compelled by the large deficit to take drastic measures for reducing expenses."

The Littlefield bequest, wrote the president, would "supply a safe and strong foundation... As long as the University endures, it will remember with gratitude the name of Mr.