William O'Dwyer
| William O'Dwyer | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 100th Mayor of New York City | |
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In office January 1, 1946 – August 31, 1950 |
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| Preceded by | Fiorello H. La Guardia |
| Succeeded by | Vincent R. Impellitteri |
| Kings County District Attorney | |
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In office January 1, 1940 – August 1, 1945 |
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| Preceded by | William F.X. Geoghan |
| Succeeded by | George J. Beldock |
| United States Ambassador to Mexico | |
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In office November 23, 1950 – December 6, 1952 |
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| Appointed by | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Walter C. Thurston |
| Succeeded by | Francis White |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 11, 1890 Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Died | November 24, 1964 (aged 74) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Alma mater | Fordham University Law School |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
William O'Dwyer (July 11, 1890 – November 24, 1964) was the 100th Mayor of New York City, holding that office from 1946 to 1950.
O'Dwyer was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland and studied at St. Nathys College, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. He emigrated to the United States in 1910, after abandoning studies for the priesthood. He worked as a laborer, then as a New York City police officer, while studying law at night at Fordham University Law School. He received his degree in 1923 and then built up a successful practice before serving as a Kings County (Brooklyn) Court judge. He won election as the Kings County District Attorney in November 1939 and his prosecution of the organized crime syndicate known as Murder, Inc. made him a national celebrity.
After losing the mayoral election to Fiorello La Guardia in 1941, O'Dwyer joined the United States Army for World War II, achieving the rank of brigadier general as a member of the Allied Commission for Italy and executive director of the War Refugee Board, for which he received the Legion of Merit. During that time, he was on leave from his elected position as district attorney and replaced by his chief assistant, Thomas Cradock Hughes, and was re-elected in November 1943.
In 1945, O'Dwyer received the support of Tammany Hall leader Edward V. Loughlin, won the Democratic nomination, and then easily won the mayoral election. At his inauguration, O'Dwyer celebrated to the song, "It's a Great Day for the Irish", and addressed the 700 people gathered in Council Chambers at City Hall: "It is our high purpose to devote our whole time, our whole energy to do good work...." He established the Office of City Construction Coordinator, appointing Park Commissioner Robert Moses to the post, worked to have the permanent home of the United Nations located in Manhattan, presided over the first billion-dollar New York City budget, created a traffic department and raised the subway fare from five cents to ten cents. In 1948, O'Dwyer received The Hundred Year Association of New York's Gold Medal Award "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the City of New York".
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