Richard "Boss" Croker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall | |
| In office 1886–1902 | |
| Preceded by | John Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Lewis Nixon |
| Chamberlain of the City of New York | |
| In office 1889–1890 | |
| New York City Fire Commissioner | |
| In office 1883–1887 | |
| Coroner of New York County | |
| In office 1873–1876 | |
| Member of the New York City Council | |
| In office 1868–1870 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1843 Ardfield, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | April 29, 1922 (aged 78) Stillorgan, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Elizabeth Fraser
(m. 1873; died 1914)Beulah Edmonson (m. 1914) |
| Children | 7 |
| Profession | Coroner, mobster |
Richard Welstead Croker (November 24, 1843 – April 29, 1922), known as "Boss Croker", was an Irish American political boss who was a leader of New York City's Tammany Hall.[1] His control over the city was cemented with the 1897 election of Robert A. Van Wyck as the first mayor of all five boroughs. During his tenure as Grand Sachem, Boss Croker garnered a reputation for corruption and ruthlessness and was frequently the subject of investigations. As his power waned following the 1900 and 1901 elections, Croker resigned his position and returned to Ireland, where he spent the rest of his life.