Frederick Ferdinand Low (June 30, 1828 – July 21, 1894) was an American politician and diplomat who served as the 9th Governor of California and a member of the United States House of Representatives.

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Frederick Ferdinand Low
United States Minister to China
In office September 28, 1869 – July 24, 1873
President	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	John Ross Browne
Succeeded by	Benjamin Parke Avery
9th Governor of California
In office December 10, 1863 – December 5, 1867
Lieutenant	Tim N. Machin
Preceded by	Leland Stanford
Succeeded by	Henry Huntly Haight
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's at-large district
In office June 3, 1862 – March 3, 1863
Preceded by	Seat created
Succeeded by	Thomas Bowles Shannon
Personal details
Born	(1828-06-30)June 30, 1828 Winterport, Maine
Died	July 21, 1894(1894-07-21) (aged 66) San Francisco, California
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Unionist
Spouse	Mollie Creed
Children	Flora
Profession	Banker, politician

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Born in Frankfort (now Winterport, Maine) in 1828, Low attended the Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine.

Low moved to California, entering the shipping business in San Francisco in 1849. Low became a banker in Marysville, California from 1854 from 1861.

Low presented credentials as a Republican Member-elect to the 37th Congress but was not permitted to take his seat until a special act of Congress was passed. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from June 3, 1862 to March 3, 1863.

Low was appointed in 1863 as collector of the Port of San Francisco prior to becoming governor of California from December 10, 1863 to December 5, 1867. He was the second California governor to live in the Stanford Mansion as the official residence and office until the opening of the California State Capitol in 1869.^[1] Low was California's last Civil War governor. Hallmarks of his administration were the establishment of Yosemite National Park and University of California. Low was considered the father of the University of California, though his successor, Henry H. Haight, signed the Charter of the University.^[2]

Low served as United States Minister to China from 1869 to 1874.

He died in San Francisco on July 21, 1894. He is buried in the Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma.