Eugene M. McSweeney

Eugene M. McSweeney (September 1, 1880 – January 21, 1946) was an American public safety official who served as Massachusetts Commission of Public Safety and Boston's police and fire commissioner.

Eugene M. McSweeney
Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Safety
In office
1937–1943
Preceded byPaul G. Kirk Sr.
Succeeded byJohn F. Stokes
Boston Police Commissioner
In office
1934–1936
Preceded byJoseph J. Leonard
Succeeded byJoseph F. Timilty
Boston Fire Commissioner
In office
1933–1934
Preceded byEdward F. McLaughlin
Succeeded byEdward F. McLaughlin
Personal details
Born(1880-09-01)September 1, 1880
Marlborough, Massachusetts
DiedJanuary 21, 1946(1946-01-21) (aged 65)
West Roxbury
Alma materManhattan College

Early life

McSweeney was born on September 1, 1880 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. He attended public school in Marlborough and Manhattan College in New York.[1]

Journalism

McSweeney began his career with the Boston Traveler. He then worked for the Hearst organization from 1910 to 1923. He then organized the Eugene M. McSweeney Advertising Agency. Six years later he returned to Hearst as circulation manager and assistant publisher for the Boston Record and American.[1][2]

City of Boston

Fire commissioner

In October 1933, fire commissioner Edward F. McLaughlin resigned in order to support Frederick Mansfield for Mayor. Mayor James Michael Curley chose McSweeney to replace McLaughlin. Mansfield won the election and McSweeney was replaced as fire commissioner in January 1934.[1][2]

Police commissioner

In February 1934, Curley, now Governor of Massachusetts, removed Joseph J. Leonard from the office of police commissioner and replaced him with McSweeney.[3] On November 25, 1936, Curley removed McSweeney from office on the grounds that McSweeney was protecting racketeers.[4]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In 1937, Governor Charles F. Hurley made McSweeney chairman of the Massachusetts Development and Industrial Commission. As a member of the commission, McSweeney organized a promotional campaign to bring manufacturing plants to the state.[1]

In December 1937, Hurley appointed Paul G. Kirk Sr. to a judgeship on the Suffolk County Superior Court and chose McSweeney to replace him as Public Safety Commissioner.[5] In December 1941, Republican governor Leverett Saltonstall reappointed McSweeney.[1] However, due to serious illness, John F. Stokes served as acting commissioner from December 1941 until McSweeney's resignation in March 1943.[6] McSweeney died on January 21, 1946 at his home in West Roxbury.[1]

References
  1. "Former State Police Head McSweeney Dies". The Boston Daily Globe. January 22, 1946.
  2. "McSweeney is Appointed City Fire Commissioner". The Boston Daily Globe. October 17, 1933.
  3. "Curley Picks McSweeney". The Boston Daily Globe. February 13, 1935.
  4. "Timilty New Police Head". The Boston Daily Globe. November 26, 1936.
  5. "Woman Named Boston Judge". The Boston Daily Globe. December 17, 1937.
  6. Casey, Gene R. (April 1, 1943). "Commissioner J. F. Stokes, New Public Safety Head, First Career Man in Post". The Boston Daily Globe.
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