William Jay Gaynor

Gaynor, William Jay, 1849–1913, U.S. political leader, mayor of New York City, b. Oneida co., N.Y. He rose to prominence as a civic reformer in Brooklyn and, as justice of the New York supreme court (1893–1909), continued to oppose municipal graft. Tammany named him candidate; he won the 1909 election but soon lost Tammany support by his reform program, which was not highly successful. His strong and unconventional personality made him a spectacular figure of his time.