William M. Tweed | |
|---|---|
_Tweed,_N.Y_-_NARA_-_526217_(cropped).jpg) Tweed in 1870 | |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office January 1, 1868 – December 31, 1873 | |
| Preceded by | George Briggs |
| Succeeded by | John Fox |
| Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall | |
| In office 1858–1871 | |
| Preceded by | Fernando Wood |
| Succeeded by | John Kelly and John Morrissey |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | |
| Preceded by | George Briggs |
| Succeeded by | Thomas R. Whitney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Magear Tweed April 3, 1823 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | April 12, 1878 (aged 55) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Jane Skaden (m. 1844) |
| Profession | Bookkeeper, businessman, political boss |
William Magear "Boss" Tweed[note 1] (April 3, 1823 – April 12, 1878) was an American politician most notable for being the political boss of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party's political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th-century New York City and State.
At the height of his influence, Tweed was the third-largest landowner in New York City, a director of the Erie Railroad, a director of the Tenth National Bank, a director of the New-York Printing Company, the proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel,[2] a significant stockholder in iron mines and gas companies, a board member of the Harlem Gas Light Company, a board member of the Third Avenue Railway Company, a board member of the Brooklyn Bridge Company, and the president of the Guardian Savings Bank.[3]
Tweed was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1852 and the New York County Board of Supervisors in 1858, the year that he became the head of the Tammany Hall political machine. He was also elected to the New York State Senate in 1867. However, Tweed's greatest influence came from being an appointed member of a number of boards and commissions, his control over political patronage in New York City through Tammany, and his ability to ensure the loyalty of voters through jobs he could create and dispense on city-related projects.
Boss Tweed was convicted for stealing an amount estimated by an aldermen's committee in 1877 at between $25 million and $45 million from New York City taxpayers from political corruption, but later estimates ranged as high as $200 million (equivalent to $5 billion in 2023).[4] Unable to make bail, he escaped from jail once but was returned to custody. He died in the Ludlow Street Jail.
- ^ "William Magear Tweed (American politician) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ Ackerman, p. 2.
- ^ Allen, p. 116.
- ^ Robinson, Gail (July 4, 2005). "Looking Back at 100". Gotham Gazette.
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