James Michael Curley Curley, James Michael, 1874–1958, American
political leader, b. Boston. He held many municipal offices,
served (1902–3) in the Massachusetts legislature, and became a
power in the Democratic party of Boston before he served
(1911–14) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Curley—whose
colorful personality and shrewd political manipulations steadily
increased his popularity—served three terms as mayor of Boston
(1914–18, 1922–26, 1930–34) before he was governor of
Massachusetts (1935–37) and again U.S. Congressman (1943–46).
After Curley was once more elected (1945) mayor of Boston, he
was convicted (1946–47) of mail fraud. He served (1947) five
months in prison before his sentence was commuted by President
Truman. After he fulfilled his duties as mayor (1947–50) and was
defeated (1949) for reelection to that post, Curley was given
(1950) a full pardon by Truman. See his autobiography (1957).
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