Who was John Francis Hylan and what was he mayor of?
John Francis Hylan was the 97th Mayor of New York City, serving from 1918 to 1925. He was also known as "Red Mike" Hylan and was the seventh mayor since the consolidation of the five boroughs.
Questions about John Francis Hylan
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was John Francis Hylan's most famous speech about?
Hylan's most famous speech, delivered in 1922 while he was the sitting Mayor of New York City, attacked what he called "the invisible government." He named the Rockefeller-Standard Oil interests and international banking houses as forces that controlled both political parties, major newspapers, and the U.S. government for their own benefit.
Why did John Francis Hylan resign as mayor one day before his term ended?
Hylan resigned on the 30th of December 1925, one day before his second term concluded, in order to secure his eligibility for a $4,205 annual pension from the city.
How did John Francis Hylan go from a Catskill farm to the mayor's office?
Hylan left Hunter, New York in 1887 with $3.50 and worked his way up from railroad laborer to engineer on the Brooklyn Union Elevated Railroad. He then studied law at the Long Island Business College and New York Law School, graduating in October 1897, and built a career in Brooklyn Democratic politics before winning the 1917 mayoral election.
What happened to John Francis Hylan after he lost the 1925 Democratic nomination?
Tammany backed State Senator Jimmy Walker over Hylan for the 1925 Democratic nomination, and Hylan lost. Walker subsequently appointed Hylan as judge of the Queens Children's Court, where he served for many years.
What is Hylan Boulevard and why was it named after John Francis Hylan?
Hylan Boulevard is a 14-mile road in Staten Island that was renamed for John Francis Hylan in 1923 while he was still serving as mayor, over the objections of his political opponents.