Havemeyer, William Frederick (1804–1874)

US businessman and mayor. A successful sugar refiner, he retired in 1842 and became the Democratic mayor of New York City (1845–46, 1849–50), the place of his birth. He then turned to business and banking, becoming president of two important banks. After the Tweed ring's financial scandals, Havemeyer defeated the Tammany candidate for mayor in 1872. But after some scandals of his own, the public turned against him. He died in office.