April 3,1823
William Marcy "Boss" Tweed Jr. was infamous for his leadership of Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine that played a major role in 19th century New York. He was born on the Lower East Side, the son of a chair-maker. At a New Jersey boarding school, he learned accounting. Little else is known about Tweed's past. He never kept a diary or wrote letters that described his dreams or ambitions.
A large man, six feet tall and over 300 pounds, Tweed loved power and money. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1852, and the N.Y.C. Board of Advisors in 1856. In 1858, Tweed became the "Grand Sachem" (top boss) of Tammany Hall.
Aided by his cronies, he controlled New York through money laundering and profit sharing. The railroads, courts, ballot box, businesses, and treasury all belonged to Tweed and Tammany Hall. He was the third-largest owner of Manhattan real estate. His mansion on Fifth and 43rd Street included a large stable. He sported a ten carat diamond stickpin. Rich friends were rewarded with cushy jobs and political power.
During the Civil War, Tweed grabbed the creation of Central Park (and its $10 million budget) away from Fredrick Olmstead. Boss Tweed ordered his workers to dig up new trees and replant them every day just to create work. Between 1863 and 1872, Tweed and his pals embezzled $200 million (about $8 billion today) from New York's taxpayers.
New York was bankrupt.
To read more about Boss Tweed's downfall, arrest, and imprisonment, click here and here.
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