Koch, Ed(ward Irving) (1924- )

US politician, mayor of the city of New York 1979-89. A Democrat, he was a member of Congress 1969-79. As mayor, he faced a budget deficit and the deterioration of the inner city. He handled these problems skilfully and saved the city from bankruptcy. Defeated as a mayoral candidate in 1989, he returned to his law practice.

Koch was born in New York City, the son of Polish Jewish immigrants. He practised as a lawyer 1949-69, helping to found a Wall Street law firm, before being elected to the House of Representatives, serving five terms . His books include His Eminence and Hizzoner (1989), All the Best, Letters from a Feisty Mayor (1990), Citizen Koch (1992), and Ed Koch on Everything (1994).