Croker, Richard (1841–1922)

Irish-born US Democratic politician; political ‘boss’ (manager) of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine in New York, 1886–1902. Born in Clonakilty, County Cork, he emigrated to New York in 1846. He became ‘boss’ of Tammany Hall on the death of his predecessor and patron ‘Honest’ John Kelly (1822–1886). An immensely talented political strategist, Croker established a virtual monopoly over New York's public affairs behind the scenes in the 1890s. He became the centre of several enquiries into municipal corruption and eventually lost control of the city in 1901 in a wave of progressive reform.

Croker was actively involved in Democratic machine politics from an early age, achieving election as alderman in 1868 and coroner in 1873. In 1870 he fought to oust ‘Boss’ Tweed, John Kelly's predecessor. Following his retirement from public life, Croker returned to Ireland and purchased a substantial estate in County Dublin, where he enjoyed great success as a horse-breeder. His later years were clouded by bitter family litigation.