Luther Martin Kennett

Biography

Luther Martin Kennett guided St. Louis through a transformative era as its mayor, championing harbor improvements, railroad expansion, and municipal reforms that helped the city emerge as a commercial gateway to the West. His leadership combined practical business experience with a belief that civic institutions should serve all residents.

He later carried that same reforming spirit to Congress, where he defended river navigation rights and supported measures that strengthened the city’s connection to the broader nation. He is remembered at Bellefontaine Cemetery for his energetic vision of an inclusive and prosperous St. Louis.