His name is given to Claflin University in South Carolina, a historically black college founded with funding from him and his father.

Claflin was educated at Brown University and worked in his father's shoe manufacturing business before becoming a partner in it.

[2][3] Lee Claflin was a self-made proprietor of a tannery and shoe factory in Milford, and a politically active abolitionist.

After three years, with his health not improving, he traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, where from 1838 to 1844 he worked in the wholesale leather goods business.

[4][5] They expanded the business Lee Claflin founded, eventually building one of New England's largest boot factories in South Framingham in 1882.

[8] Claflin followed his father in both politics and his methodist religion, opposing the expansion of slavery and promoting other social reforms.

[16] He was elected governor in 1868, and served three terms in that office, defeating John Quincy Adams II each time.

As a result of this poor showing, Claflin was perceived as a weak candidate for reelection, and refused to stand in 1871; he also did not attend the state nominating convention.

Washburn's election signalled an end to the influence of the Bird Club as a unifying force in state Republican politics.

[23] In that role, he was a critical mediating force between radical and conservative factions of the party, promoting the moderate Schuyler Colfax for vice president under Ulysses S. Grant in the 1868 election.

[27] His son Adams Claflin played a major role in the provision of streetcar service to Newton.

After his death the local civic improvement association purchased the rest of Claflin's estate and gave it to the town.