Thomas A. Doyle (mayor)
| Thomas Arthur Doyle | |
|---|---|
Official portrait of Thomas A. Doyle in Providence City Hall
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| 9th, 11th, & 13th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
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In office June 1864 – June 1869 |
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| Preceded by | Jabez C. Knight |
| Succeeded by | George L. Clarke |
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In office June 1870 – June 1881 |
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| Preceded by | George L. Clarke |
| Succeeded by | William S. Hayward |
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In office January 1884 – June 9, 1886 |
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| Preceded by | William S. Hayward |
| Succeeded by | Gilbert F. Robbins |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
March 15, 1827 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | June 9, 1886 (aged 59) Providence, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | Swan Point Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Almyra Sprague |
| Relations | Sarah Elizabeth Doyle (sister) |
| Residence | 137 Chestnut Street, Providence, Rhode Island |
| Known for | Longest-serving Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island at that time |
| Religion | Unitarian |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Arthur Doyle (March 15, 1827 – June 9, 1886) was mayor of Providence for three intervals (each made up of one-year terms): 1864–1869; 1870–1881; and from 1884 until his death in office in 1886. His eighteen years in office was the longest until Mayor "Buddy" Cianci, over 100 years later.
Thomas Arthur Doyle was born March 15, 1827 in Providence, Rhode Island to Thomas Doyle and Martha Jones. The family was of Irish Protestant heritage. He was one of seven children, among them his sister, educator and reformer Sarah Doyle. Their father died when Thomas was young.
He attended Elm Street Grammar School, a public school. At age 14 he joined the counting-room of Benjamin Cozzens Esq., a lawyer, manufacturer, and calico printer. Doyle clerked there and at a few other jobs, including cashier, stockbroker, and real estate auctioneer.
Doyle began his political career in 1848, aged 21, when he was elected ward clerk for the Sixth Ward. In 1852 he was elected to the common council from the Fifth Ward. Doyle also served on the school committee, at one time being the youngest member of the committee.
Doyle is considered by some historians and even was regarded in his lifetime to have been one of Providence's greatest mayors. During his tenure Providence grew from "a large manufacturing village" to a "little metropolis". Doyle's leading-edge policies led the way for Providence to become a modern city.
Doyle was known for his individuality. He had a reputation for being straightforward and opinionated. At one time or another he alienated everyone from Democrats to Republicans to taxpayers to the press to city departments, often advocating unpopular policies. His relationship with the city council was often stormy; they were said to be in "hearty disagreement on almost everything" and he often exercised the veto power. He spent a lot of money, increased debt, and raised taxes. Yet he earned respect for being honest and running an administration free from corruption.
Some specific achievements of his terms of office included:
In 1869, he married Almyra Sprague, sister of Senator William Sprague. They had no children. His house at 137 Chestnut Street, Providence, stands today.
Doyle was a member of the Unitarian church. He was also an enthusiastic Mason. He was made a Master Mason in 1857, and was elected to various statewide Mason offices including Knights Templar.
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Wikipedia