A book that was published by a history prof outside of Detroit about 10 years ago put Pingee as the fourth best mayor in American history since 1820 [[!) The placement was the result of recommendations from other academic experts.
The book is titled "The American Mayor," and its editor is Melvin Holli, who is Pingree's biographer.

Check it out:
http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/h/holli-mayor.html