[PAR] [TLE] Rhode Island [SEP] Rhode Island ( ), officially the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.  It is the smallest in area, the eighth least populous, and the second most densely populated of the 50 U.S. states.  Its official name is also the longest of any state in the Union.  Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound.  It also shares a small maritime border with New York. [PAR] [TLE] Nicholas Cooke [SEP] Nicholas Cooke (February 3, 1717September 14, 1782) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War, and after Rhode Island became a state, he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island.  Born in the maritime town of Providence, he early in life followed the sea, eventually becoming a Captain of ships.  This occupation led him to become a merchant, becoming highly successful in this endeavor, and he ran a distillery and rope-making business as well.  He is depicted as one of the affluent merchants in John Greenwood's satirical painting from the 1750s entitled "Sea Captains Carousing in Surinam".
[PAR] [TLE] Rhode Island [ SEP ] Rhode Island ( ) , officially the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations , is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States . It is the smallest in area , the eighth least populous , and the second most densely populated of the 50 U.S. states . Its official name is also the longest of any state in the Union . Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut to the west , Massachusetts to the north and east , and the Atlantic Ocean to the south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound . It also shares a small maritime border with New York . [PAR] [TLE] Nicholas Cooke [ SEP ] Nicholas Cooke ( February 3 , 1717September 14 , 1782 ) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War , and after Rhode Island became a state , he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island . Born in the maritime town of Providence , he early in life followed the sea , eventually becoming a Captain of ships . This occupation led him to become a merchant , becoming highly successful in this endeavor , and he ran a distillery and rope - making business as well . He is depicted as one of the affluent merchants in John Greenwood 's satirical painting from the 1750s entitled " Sea Captains Carousing in Surinam " .
Who was the first governor of the eighth least populous U.S. state?
Who was the first governor of the eighth least populous U.S. state ?
Nicholas Cooke
Nicholas Cooke