Today in History: William “Boss” Tweed
Today in History–December 4–the Library of Congress features New York City politician William “Boss” Tweed, who escaped from jail on this day in 1875. As leader of New York City’s Democratic Party, Tweed and his Tammany Hall cronies stole millions of dollars from the city. A vigorous campaign to unseat Tweed was ultimately successful when he was tried and convicted on charges of forgery and larceny in November 1873. Tweed was released in January 1875 but the state sued him for $6 million and he was held in debtor’s jail, from which he escaped. He fled to Spain but was eventually captured and was reincarcerated. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to Tweed and the Tammany Hall political machine that outlived him.
William “Boss” Tweed image set
“Boss” Tweed front-page newspaper coverage (1873-1878)
Tammany Hall political cartoons & other images
Tammany Hall books & other texts
Tammany songs (recordings)
Tammany Hall front-page historical newspaper coverage through 1878
Tammany Hall front-page historical newspaper coverage 1879 on
Tammany magazine articles
- Tammany Continental Monthly Volume 3, Issue 5, May 1863
- “The Story of Tammany” (Part 1) Harper’s New Monthly Magazine Volume 44, Issue 263, April 1872
- “The Story of Tammany” (Part 2) Harper’s New Monthly Magazine Volume 44, Issue 264, May 1872
- “Tammany Hall and the Democracy” The North American Review Volume 154, Issue 423, February 1892
- “The Degeneration of Tammany” The North American Review Volume 154, Issue 424, March 1892
- “Tammany Hall” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 73, Issue 436, February 1894
- “Tammany Points the Way” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 74, Issue 445, November 1894