Fiorello La Guardia
Fiorello Henry La Guardia (/fiːəˈrɛloʊ ləˈɡwɑːrdiə/; born Fiorello Raffaele Enrico La Guardia, Italian pronunciation: [fjoˈrɛllo raf.faˈɛ.le enˈriːko la ˈɡwardja]; December 11, 1882 – September 20, 1947) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the House of Representatives and served as the 99th Mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1946. He was known for his irascible, energetic, and charismatic personality and diminutive, rotund stature. A socialist member of the Republican Party, La Guardia was frequently cross-endorsed by parties other than his own, especially parties on the left under New York's electoral fusion laws. A panel of 69 scholars in 1993 ranked him first among the ten best mayors in American history.
Fiorello La Guardia | |
|---|---|
La Guardia, c. 1940 | |
| 2nd Director General of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration | |
| In office April 1, 1946 – December 31, 1946 | |
| Preceded by | Herbert H. Lehman |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| 99th Mayor of New York City | |
| In office January 1, 1934 – January 1, 1946 | |
| Preceded by | John P. O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | William O'Dwyer |
| 5th President of the United States Conference of Mayors | |
| In office 1935–1945 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Hoan |
| Succeeded by | Edward Joseph Kelly |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
| In office March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac Siegel |
| Succeeded by | James J. Lanzetta |
| Constituency | 20th district |
| In office March 4, 1917 – December 31, 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Michael F. Farley |
| Succeeded by | Nathan D. Perlman |
| Constituency | 14th district |
| 10th President of the New York City Board of Aldermen | |
| In office January 1, 1920 – December 31, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | Robert L. Moran |
| Succeeded by | Murray Hulbert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fiorello Enrico Raffaelo La Guardia December 11, 1882 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | September 20, 1947 (aged 64) New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | Roosevelt Progressive (1916) American (1916) Democratic (1918) LaFollette Progressive (1924) Socialist Party of America (1924) Progressive Labor (1926) City Fusion (1933–1941) American Labor (1937–1941) Ind. Progressive (1937) United City (1941) |
| Spouses | Thea Almerigotti
(m. 1919; died 1921)Marie Fisher (m. 1929) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Timothy Dwight School |
| Alma mater |
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| Profession | Politician |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army Air Service |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
He was born to Italian immigrants in New York City. Before serving as mayor, La Guardia represented Manhattan in Congress and on the New York City Board of Aldermen. As mayor, during the Great Depression and World War II, La Guardia unified the city's transit system; expanded construction of public housing, playgrounds, parks, and airports; reorganized the New York Police Department; and implemented federal New Deal programs within the city. He pursued a long series of political reforms, curbing the power of the powerful Irish-controlled Tammany Hall political machine that controlled the Democratic Party in Manhattan. He also re-established merit-based employment and promotion within city administration.
La Guardia was also a highly visible national political figure. His support for the New Deal and relationship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt crossed party lines, brought federal funds to New York City, and cut off patronage to La Guardia's Tammany enemies. La Guardia's WNYC radio program "Talk to the People", which aired from December 1941 until December 1945, expanded his public influence beyond the borders of the city.