Asher Crosby Hinds (February 6, 1863 – May 1, 1919) was an American newspaperman and politician who served three terms as a United States representative from Maine from 1911 to 1917.

Early life and career

Asher Hinds was born in Benton, Maine on February 6, 1863. He attended the public schools and Coburn Classical Institute. Hinds graduated from Colby College in 1883, then began newspaper work in Portland in 1884. He was appointed as a clerk to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1889 to 1891. He then became clerk at the Speaker's table from 1895 to 1911. He married Harriett Louise Estey on September 3, 1891, and they had two children. He was editor of the Rules, Manual, and Digest of the House of Representatives in 1899 and of Hinds' Precedents of the House of Representatives 1908. According to a 2013 study, Hinds' Precedents successfully altered the behavior of House representatives, as they became less willing to appeal decisions of the chair.

Congress

Hinds was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-second, Sixty-third, and Sixty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1917).

Retirement and death

He resided in Washington, D.C., until his death on May 1, 1919. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine.

Publications