William Bulger | |
|---|---|
_3.jpg) Bulger c. 1984–1987 | |
| President of the University of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 4, 1996 – September 1, 2003 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Weld |
| Preceded by | Shirley Penney |
| Succeeded by | Jack M. Wilson |
| President of the Massachusetts Senate | |
| In office January 6, 1978 – January 3, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin B. Harrington |
| Succeeded by | Tom Birmingham |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 1st Suffolk district | |
| In office January 6, 1971 – January 3, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Moakley |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Lynch |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Suffolk County | |
| In office January 4, 1961 – January 6, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Moakley |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Flynn |
| Constituency | 7th Suffolk district (1961–1965) 5th Suffolk district (1965–1969) 6th Suffolk district (1969–1971) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Michael Bulger February 2, 1934 Dorchester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Mary Foley
(m. 1960; died 2020) |
| Relations | Whitey Bulger (brother) |
| Education | Boston College (BA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Nickname | Billy |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1953–1955 |
William Michael Bulger (born February 2, 1934) is an American former Democratic politician, lawyer, and educator from South Boston, Massachusetts. His eighteen-year tenure as President of the Massachusetts Senate is the longest in history. After leaving office, he became president of the University of Massachusetts.
Bulger came from Old Harbor Village Housing Development (now more commonly known as the Mary Ellen McCormick Housing Development). He graduated from Boston College High School in 1952, then from Boston College in Classics, then from Boston College Law School.
Bulger was the younger brother of the convicted mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger, who led the Winter Hill Gang, and he received harsh criticism for refusing to distance himself from his brother, who was convicted of participating in 11 murders and sentenced to life in prison, or to cooperate with authorities after he became a fugitive.[1] He was forced to resign from the presidency of the University of Massachusetts. Bulger went on to teach as a visiting scholar at Suffolk University, but has since removed himself from public life.
- ^ Seelye, Katharine Q. (November 24, 2013). "Sticking by a Murderous Brother, and Paying for It Dearly". The New York Times.