EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements and related Prospectuses of our report dated February 8, 1994 on our audit of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of UNUM Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993 and for the year then ended which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K: Form S-8 No. 33-31270 pertaining to the UNUM Employees Retirement Savings Plan and Trust Form S-8 No. 33-19090 pertaining to the 1987 Executive Stock Option Plan Form S-8 No. 33-38225 pertaining to the 1990 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan Form S-8 No. 33-52741 pertaining to the UNUM 1990 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan Form S-3 No. 33-36873 Form S-3 No. 33-69132 Form S-8 No. 33-60124 pertaining to the Colonial Companies, Inc. Security Saver Plan Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-8 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 No. 33-55870 /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND Portland, Maine March 25, 1994 110