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Hugh O'Brien

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For the American actor with a similar name, see Hugh O'Brian.

Hugh O'Brien
Mayor of Boston[1]
In office
January 5, 1885 – January 7, 1889
Preceded byAugustus Pearl Martin
Succeeded byThomas N. Hart
Chairman of the Boston Board of Aldermen[1]
In office
1883
Preceded bySolomon B. Stebbins
Succeeded byCharles Varney Whitten
In office
1879–1881
Preceded bySolomon B. Stebbins
Succeeded bySolomon B. Stebbins
Member of the Boston Board of Aldermen
In office
1875–1883
Personal details
Born(1827-07-13)July 13, 1827
Ireland
DiedAugust 1, 1895(1895-08-01) (aged 68)
Massachusetts
Political partyDemocratic

Hugh O'Brien (July 13, 1827 – August 1, 1895) served as the mayor of Boston from 1884 to 1888. O'Brien is notable as Boston's first Irish and Catholic mayor, having emigrated from Ireland to America in the early 1830s. O'Brien was the editor of the Shipping and Commercial List and served as a Boston alderman from 1875 to 1883.[2] He was chairman of the Boston Board of Aldermen from 1879 through 1881 and again in 1883.

Early life

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Born in Ireland on July 13, 1827, O'Brien emigrated to America in the early 1830s as a young child. He dropped out of public school at the age of twelve to pursue a career in newspapers,[3] eventually becoming the editor of the Shipping and Commercial List.

Early political career

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O'Brien began his political career in 1875 after being elected to the Boston Board of Aldermen.

During his time as alderman, he was known for his advocacy toward public parks, having a hand in the city's acquisition of Franklin Park and the Back Bay land. He was a champion of the working class and helped pass legislation regulating the pay of men under city contractors. He also sought to decrease expenditures within the city, in order to lower taxes.[4]

Mayoralty

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After having lost the 1883 Boston mayoral election to Republican Augustus Pearl Martin by 1,544 votes, O'Brien defeated Martin in a 1884 rematch by a margin of 3,326 votes. He was the first Irishman to become mayor of Boston.

O'Brien enacted numerous reforms and focused on controlling their subsequent expenses. He won reelection in 1885, 1886, and 1887, before being defeated by three-time challenger Republican Thomas N. Hart in the election of 1888.[4]

Later life

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O'Brien was appointed by Mayor Nathan Matthews Jr. to Boston's Board of Survey, which was tasked with planning the city's streets.

He died on August 1, 1895, at the age of 68.[4]

See also

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References

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  • Mayors of Boston: An Illustrated Epitome of who the Mayors Have Been and What they Have Done, Boston, MA: State Street Trust Company, Page 39, (1914).
  1. ^ a b A Catalogue of the City Councils of Boston, 1822–1908, Roxbury, 1846–1867, Charlestown 1847–1873 and of The Selectmen of Boston, 1634–1822 also of Various Other Town and Municipal officers, Boston, MA: City of Boston Printing Department, 1909, p. 279 Printed by Order of the City Council
  2. ^ User, Legacy. "A look back at the mayors of Boston". www.boston.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Mayor Hugh O'Brien, 1885-1888, undated | ArchivesSpace Public Interface". archives.boston.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "O'Brien, Hugh, 1827-1895 | ArchivesSpace Public Interface". archives.boston.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2024.

Further reading

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  • Holli, Melvin G., and Peter D'A. Jones, eds. Biographical Dictionary of American Mayors 1820-1980, (1981) p.271.
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Political offices
Preceded by 31st Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts
January 5, 1885 – January 7, 1889 		Succeeded by
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