William M Tweed

ABOUT WILLIAM M TWEED

Corrupt nineteenth-century politician who headed the Democratic Tammany Hall political machine. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1853-1855 and, a decade later, became a member of the New York State Senate.

In his younger years, he joined numerous societies, including the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the Engine Number 12 volunteer fire squad.

After stealing millions of dollars from the taxpayers of New York City, he was imprisoned on charges of political corruption. He died in jail at the age of fifty-five.

He grew up in New York City as the son of a Scotch-Irish craftsman. He wed Mary Jane Skaden in 1844.

He was often drawn in a negative light by famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast .