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John Patrick O'Brien (February 1, 1873 – September 22, 1951) was an Irish-American politician who served as the 98th Mayor of New York City from January 1 to December 31, 1933.
John P. O'Brien | |
|---|---|
 O'Brien in 1920 | |
| 98th Mayor of New York City | |
| In office January 1, 1933 – December 31, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph V. McKee |
| Succeeded by | Fiorello H. La Guardia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Patrick O'Brien February 1, 1873 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 1951 (aged 78) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Helen E.C. Madigan |
| Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross (BA) Georgetown University (AM, LLB) |
| Profession | Attorney |
Life and career
editO'Brien was born on February 1, 1873, to Mary and Patrick O'Brien,[1] Irish immigrants in Massachusetts. He received his B.A. from College of the Holy Cross and his masters and law degree from Georgetown University. He later served as New York City Corporation Counsel and as a New York Surrogate Court judge.
Shortly after the surprise resignation of Mayor Jimmy Walker in 1932, Tammany Hall nominated O'Brien for mayor in a special election, and he beat write-in candidate (and Acting Mayor) Joseph V. McKee by more than half a million votes. O'Brien's inauguration was held in the Hall of Records, at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan, and was devoid of the pageantry that had greeted many of his predecessors. His inauguration speech did not outline a vision for the city, but rather, reflected on the work of the court and the legal profession in general. In the post inauguration news conference, the new mayor was asked who would be the new police commissioner. "I don't know," O'Brien answered. "They haven't told me yet."
Although he is credited with expanding the city's ability to collect taxes, restoring order to the city's finances, and trimming the budget, O'Brien was defeated for re-election in a three-way race by the colorful Republican-City Fusion Party candidate, Fiorello H. La Guardia, in November 1933. He served just one year in office.
O'Brien returned to his legal work and served three times as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He died on September 21, 1951, at his home at 40 East 75th Street at 7:25 p.m. He was buried in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester County.[2]
Family
editO'Brien married Helen E. C. Madigan (c. 1875–1950) in 1908, and their children include Gerard J. O'Brien, James A. O'Brien, Lawrence J. O'Brien, John G. O'Brien, and a daughter Helen Elizabeth, who married Victor E. Forker.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- Notes
- ^ a b "Ex-Mayor O'Brien Dies At Home At 78; Former Corporation Counsel, Surrogate Was Elected To Fill Out Walker's Final Year Ex-Mayor O'Brien Dies In Home At 78 Was Surrogate For 10 Years". New York Times. September 27, 1951.
- ^ "2,000 at Funeral of John P. O'Brien. Cardinal Spellman Officiates in St. Patrick's at Ex-Mayor's Rites Notables Bearers". New York Times. September 27, 1951.