Eleazer Kingsbury Foster, Jr. (October 31 1841 – December 8 1899) was an American attorney, state attorney, and educator who served as the seventh Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Florida from 1881 to 1884. Born in Connecticut, he was the son of Eleazer Kingsbury Foster, a noted Connecticut lawyer. Foster attended the Collegiate and Commercial Institute of New Haven before graduating from Yale University in 1863. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1865 and relocated to Florida in 1866 for health reasons.
In Florida, Foster practiced law, representing clients such as land developer Henry Sanford, and became involved in public service. Appointed by Governor William D. Bloxham, he oversaw the state’s public‑instruction system, succeeding William Penn Haisley and serving until succeeded by Albert Jonathan Russell. After his tenure as superintendent, he continued his legal career and was recognized by the Alachua County court upon his death.
Foster died in Florida at the age of 58. His professional contributions spanned law, education administration, and regional development during the late‑19th century.
Source: Wikipedia article “Eleazer Foster” (accessed via Jina AI mirror, content summary).