Charles S. Whitman
| Charles S. Whitman | |
|---|---|
Gov. Whitman in 1915
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| 41st Governor of New York | |
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In office January 1, 1915 – December 31, 1918 |
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| Lieutenant | Edward Schoeneck |
| Preceded by | Martin H. Glynn |
| Succeeded by | Alfred E. Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Seymour Whitman September 29, 1868 Hanover, Connecticut |
| Died | March 29, 1947 (aged 78) New York City, New York |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Amherst College |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
Charles Seymour Whitman (September 29, 1868 – March 29, 1947) served as the 41st Governor of New York from January 1, 1915 to December 31, 1918. He was also a delegate to Republican National Convention from New York in 1916.
Whitman was born on September 29, 1868 in Hanover, Connecticut. He graduated from Amherst College in 1890. He then studied law at New York University, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. In 1901 he was appointed assistant corporation counsel of New York City where his effective work won for him the post of city magistrate. In this capacity, he founded the Night Court for the immediate trial of all offenders arrested at night. In 1907 Governor Charles Evans Hughes appointed him a judge of the Court of Sessions, and in the following year deputy attorney general in the investigation of election frauds in northern New York. In 1909 he was elected New York County District Attorney on a Fusion ticket. In this capacity, he secured representation of the District Attorney's staff in the city magistrate's office, and was active in suppressing arson offenders.
As District Attorney, he gained national fame in prosecuting New York City Police Lt. Charles Becker for the July 16, 1912, murder of Times Square gambling house operator Herman Rosenthal in front of West 43rd Street's Hotel Metropole, owned by Lower East Side Tammany Hall leader "Big Tim" Sullivan. Whitman's handling of the case was most effective in unearthing and reforming the relations between certain members of the New York City police and professional criminals. Later, as governor, Whitman signed Becker's death warrant and presided over his electrocution. Whitman was a member of the Union League Club of New York and, fearing he was under surveillance, used the clubhouse to secretly interview witnesses during the Becker case.
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