Albert C. Howard's foundational background includes a notable familial political legacy, with his older brother serving as Governor of Rhode Island. He gained military experience as a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War. Howard pursued a political career, running for Governor of Rhode Island twice, first as a National Republican and Prohibition Party candidate and later as an Independent Republican. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island for a term, showcasing his leadership capabilities in the public sector.

Albert C. Howard's political career is marked by a series of unconventional choices and shifting allegiances, suggesting a highly localized and adaptive approach to governance. Despite running for Governor of Rhode Island multiple times under different party banners, Howard's strategic moves hint at a calculated effort to balance regional interests. His military background during the Civil War and subsequent political maneuvers reveal an individual who operates with a blend of ideological flexibility and strategic calculation.