Profile

Gender

Male

Born

1899-11-19 （St. Thomas, Danish West Indies）

Died

1991-06-09 （North General Hospital, New York） age 91

Nationality

United States

Languages

English

Residence History

St. Thomas (birth–1917) → New York City, Harlem (1917–circa 1970) → St. Thomas (returned after retirement)

Career

Occupations

Politician, Party leader, Voter organizer

Active Years

1921-1969

Affiliations

George Washington Carver Democratic Club (founder and longtime leader), Democratic Party (United States), Tammany Hall (as county leader)

Memberships

Tammany Hall

Influenced By

John Francis Hylan (political influence)

Influenced

Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Constance Baker Motley, Robert C. Weaver, David Dinkins, Basil A. Paterson, Charles Rangel, Percy Sutton, Bertram L. Baker (helped in coalition that elevated him)

Awards & Nominations

Legacy

Built Harlem's leading Black political machine and mentored generations of Black leaders. Exerted influence over Democratic Party appointments and city politics, and is known as the last leader of Tammany Hall. His role is detailed in the biography "The Harlem Fox."

Quotes

• "Without his counsel and guidance, many Black leaders would not have achieved as much. He was a true political pioneer and a deeply committed individual who dedicated his life to serving the people of New York."

  Source: Eulogy by David N. Dinkins (1991) (1991)

Trivia

• Known by the nickname "The Harlem Fox."
• Founded and long led the George Washington Carver Democratic Club in Harlem.
• Served as Tammany Hall's last leader from 1964 to 1967.
• Moved to New York in 1917 and began political work as an election inspector in 1921.