La Guardia, Fiorello H. (Fiorello Henry), 1882-1947

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1882-12-11
Death 1947-09-20
Birth 1882-12-11
Death 1947-09-20
Americans
English

Biographical notes:

Fiorello Henry La Guardia (born Fiorello Enrico La Guardia; 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 1945. Known for his irascible, energetic, and charismatic personality and diminutive stature, La Guardia is acclaimed as one of the greatest mayors in American history. Though a Republican, La Guardia was frequently cross-endorsed by other parties, including the rival Democratic Party, under New York's electoral fusion laws.

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 Tammany Hall political machine and re-establishing merit-based employment and promotion within city administration.

La Guardia was also a major 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 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.

Fiorello H. La Guardia served as a three term Mayor of New York City, 1934-1945. Born in New York City in 1882 to immigrants, he was raised in the Dakota and Arizona territories. La Guardia worked as a translator at Ellis Island from 1907 to 1910 while stuyding the law. After passing the bar, he represented immigrants, workers, and the poor. He became active in liberal Republican politics, and ran for Congress in 1914. He lost the election, but won the seat in 1916, making him the first Italian-American elected to Congress. He served seven terms, and established himself as a progressive leader. La Guardia was swept out of office during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential victory of 1932. La Guardia ran for mayor in 1933 on a broad based Republican-Fusion ticket. As mayor of New York, La Guardia constructed airports, roads, bridges, tunnels, highways, public housing, playgrounds, and schools. He improved health and sanitary conditions, launched attacks against organized crime, and provided relief to New Yorkers affected by the Depression. During WWII, La Guardia served as Roosevelt's director ot the Office of Civilian Defense. La Guardia declined to run for a fourth mayoral term in 1945. After his mayoralty, he served as Director of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilition Administration. He died of cancer in 1947.

From the description of Fiorello H. La Guardia Papers. 1880-1980. (Laguardia Community College Library Media Resources Center). WorldCat record id: 34707198

Fiorello H. LaGuardia (1882-1947) was Mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1945.

From the guide to the Fiorello H. LaGuardia letters to Fannie M. Neumann, 1938-1947, (Brooklyn Historical Society)

Ethel Huyler Gray (1877- ), an American actress, author and editor, worked in the theatre for 12 years, then edited legal documents and advertising copy. She also was a writer and researcher for the New York Theosophical Society.

From the guide to the Ethel Huyler Gray papers, 1908-1958, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Politician and Mayor of New York City.

From the description of Letters, 1938-1947. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155450377

Mayor of the City of New York, Congressional representative, Director-General of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).

From the description of Papers, 1882-1983, 1922-1947 (bulk) (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155483342

Fiorello H. La Guardia (1882-1947) began his political career as deputy attorney of the state of New York in 1915. He was a representative in the U.S. Congress from 1917 to 1932 except for service in World War I and a term as president of New York's Board of Aldermen from 1919 to 1921. La Guardia ran for mayor of New York City in 1933 and served in that office for twelve years. He became director of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation program in 1945 after leaving the mayor's office.

From the description of Fiorello H. La Guardia papers, 1918-1945. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122466317

From the guide to the Fiorello H. La Guardia papers, 1918-1945, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

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Subjects:

  • Agriculture and politics
  • Political campaigns
  • Crime
  • Emigration and immigration
  • Environmental protection
  • Families
  • Housing
  • Irrigation
  • Land claim associations
  • Mayor
  • Mayors
  • Naturalization
  • Naturalization
  • Prohibition
  • Prohibition
  • Public health
  • Radio in politics
  • Strikes and lockouts
  • Strikes and lockouts
  • Transportation
  • Unicorns
  • World War, 1914-1918
  • World War, 1914-1918
  • World War, 1939-1945
  • Naturalization
  • Prohibition
  • Strikes and lockouts
  • World War, 1914-1918

Occupations:

  • Authors
  • Legislators
  • Mayors

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Great Britain (as recorded)
  • New York (State)--New York (as recorded)
  • New York (State)--New York (as recorded)
  • Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Arizona--Pinal County (as recorded)
  • Pennsylvania (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Italy (as recorded)
  • Gila River (N.M. and Ariz.) (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (State)--New York (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)

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