John W. McCormack

John McCormack
McCormack circa 1955
45th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office
January 10, 1962 – January 3, 1971
Preceded bySam Rayburn
Succeeded byCarl Albert
Leader of the House Democratic Caucus
In office
January 10, 1962 – January 3, 1971
Preceded bySam Rayburn
Succeeded byCarl Albert
House Majority Leader
In office
January 3, 1955 – January 10, 1962
DeputyCarl Albert
Preceded byCharles A. Halleck
Succeeded byCarl Albert
In office
January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1953
DeputyPercy Priest
Preceded bySam Rayburn
Succeeded byCharles A. Halleck
In office
September 16, 1940 – January 3, 1947
DeputyPatrick J. Boland
Robert Ramspeck
John Sparkman
Preceded bySam Rayburn
Succeeded byCharles A. Halleck
House Minority Whip
In office
January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1955
LeaderSam Rayburn
Preceded byLeslie C. Arends
Succeeded byLeslie C. Arends
In office
January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1949
LeaderSam Rayburn
Preceded byLeslie C. Arends
Succeeded byLeslie C. Arends
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts
In office
November 6, 1928 – January 3, 1971
Preceded byJames A. Gallivan
Succeeded byLouise Day Hicks
Constituency12th district (1928–1963)
9th district (1963–1971)
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
from the 3rd Suffolk district
In office
1923–1928
Preceded byWilliam H. McDonnell
Succeeded byHenry Parkman Jr.
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 11th Suffolk district
In office
1920–1922
Serving with James B. Troy
Preceded byPatrick M. Costello, Michael J. Reidy
Succeeded byHugh H. Garrity, Walter B. Grant
Personal details
Born(1891-12-21)December 21, 1891
Boston, Massachusetts, US
DiedNovember 22, 1980(1980-11-22) (aged 88)
Dedham, Massachusetts, US
Resting placeSaint Joseph Cemetery
West Roxbury, Massachusetts
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Harriet Joyce
(m. 1920; died 1971)
RelativesEdward J. McCormack Jr. (nephew)
ProfessionPolitician
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUS Army
Years of service1918
RankSergeant Major
Unit14th Company, 151st Depot Brigade
Infantry Replacement Center, Camp Lee, Virginia
Battles/warsWorld War I

John William McCormack (December 21, 1891 – November 22, 1980) was an American politician from Boston, Massachusetts. McCormack served in the United States Army during World War I, and afterwards in the Massachusetts State Senate before winning election to the United States House of Representatives.

McCormack advanced through the leadership ranks to become majority leader before being chosen as the 45th speaker of the House. He served as speaker from 1962 until his 1971 retirement.

McCormack's congressional career was highlighted by his support for the New Deal measures undertaken to combat the Great Depression, U.S. involvement in World War II, and support for the Great Society programs of the 1960s, including civil rights, education, and health care for the elderly. A staunch anti-communist, McCormack supported U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. His support for the war and the seniority system in Congress caused increasing numbers of younger members to challenge his leadership; McCormack survived a 1969 contest with Mo Udall for the Speakership. He did not run for reelection to his House seat in 1970, and retired to his home in Boston. He later resided at a Dedham nursing home, where he died in 1980.

At 42 years and 58 days, as of 2022 McCormack's service in the U.S. House ranks 18th in terms of uninterrupted time. He is the longest-serving member of the U.S. House in Massachusetts history.