Tweed, William Marcy (‘Boss’) (1823–1878)

US politician. He held office in the US House of Representatives 1853–55. In various municipal offices, and from 1867 in New York state senate, he controlled government spending and accumulated a fortune estimated at somewhere between $45 million and $200 million. He was convicted of forgery and larceny and sent to jail 1873–75, when he escaped to Spain.

Born in New York City, USA, Tweed worked briefly as a clerk in his father's factory. Becoming involved in municipal politics, he served as an alderman 1852–56 and emerged as the leader of Tammany Hall (a New York City Democratic club, founded 1789). Escaping to Spain via Cuba 1875, his anonymity was subverted by a Thomas Nast cartoon, from which Tweed was recognized and sent back to New York. He died in prison.