Biography:

William Tweed was a powerful 19th century New York City political boss.  He was born on April 3, 1823 and was of Scottish descent.  He worked as a bookkeeper, a chairmaker, a volunteer firefighter, and a mason.  In the late 1840s he served as president of the Order of United Americans, an anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic organization.  In 1851 he was elected a Democratic alderman and served one term in congress from 1853 to 1855. During his term in Congress, Tweed engaged in voter fraud in order to help elect fellow Democratic candidates to office.   He served as school commissioner from 1856 to 1857.  In 1861 he was elected chairman of the New York County Democratic Central Committee.  In 1863 he became chairman of the general committee of Tammany Hall, as well as, the grand sachem or leader.  In 1867 he was elected to the State Senate and served two terms.  He was found guilty of forgery and larceny and was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment in 1873, but was released in 1875.  He was rearrested the day after his release, tried on civil charges, and convicted.  On December 4, 1875 he escaped prison and fled to Spain.  He was caught and returned to Ludlow Street jail on November 23, 1876.  He died on April 12, 1878.