James J. Walker

Born to Irish parents in New York City in 1881, Jimmy Walker was influenced by his father who was a Tammany politician to enter politics for the Democrats. With support from Tammany Hall he got elected to the office of Mayor of New York City in 1926. An office he held for 6 years before a graft scandal brought him down. More than anyone he became associated with the "Roaring Twenties" preceding the Wall Street crash, spending as much time at night clubs, boxing matches and horse races as at his office. He was, however, also supportive of much of the progressive legislation of the period.