Edward J. Flynn
Encyclopedia
Edward Joseph Flynn was an American lawyer and politician. Flynn was a leading Democratic politician of the mid-1900s
in partnership with Bill McKeown and later with Monroe Goldwater. He became involved in poltiics and became a prominent local member of the Democratic Party. He served as Assemblyman of Bronx county (1918–1921), Sheriff of Bronx County (1922–1925) Chamberlain of the City of New York (1926–1928), Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bronx County Democratic Committee (1922–1953), Secretary of State for New York (1929–1939), Democratic National Committeeman from New York (1930–1953), and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1940–1943). He was also the United States Commissioner General on the New York World's Fair Commission, from 1939-1940.
He was a close associate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
for many years, but repeatedly refused offers for jobs in the Roosevelt Administration. He did accompany Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference
remaining in Europe afterwords to carry out various missions for the president, until his trip was cut short by news of Roosevelt's death.
On June 15, 1927, he married Helen Margaret Jones. In 1947, Flynn wrote the book You're the Boss about his experiences in politics. He had helped Roosevelt through all of his elections. Flynn was one of the driving forces behind Harry S. Truman
's 1948 election victory
.
Flynn died in 1953 while on a visit to Ireland. His papers were given by his family to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, to be available for the public.
The phrase "in like Flynn
" has sometimes been claimed to be a reference to Flynn, though its folk etymology more frequently associates it with actor Errol Flynn
. Etymologist Eric Partridge
presents evidence that candidates Flynn backed were almost automatically "in," citing usage during Flynn's life that refers to him.
Life
Flynn was the youngest son of Henry T. Flynn and Sarah Mallon Flynn. He graduated from Fordham Law School in 1912, and was admitted to the bar in June 1913. Flynn practiced lawLaw
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
in partnership with Bill McKeown and later with Monroe Goldwater. He became involved in poltiics and became a prominent local member of the Democratic Party. He served as Assemblyman of Bronx county (1918–1921), Sheriff of Bronx County (1922–1925) Chamberlain of the City of New York (1926–1928), Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bronx County Democratic Committee (1922–1953), Secretary of State for New York (1929–1939), Democratic National Committeeman from New York (1930–1953), and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1940–1943). He was also the United States Commissioner General on the New York World's Fair Commission, from 1939-1940.
He was a close associate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
for many years, but repeatedly refused offers for jobs in the Roosevelt Administration. He did accompany Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference, sometimes called the Crimea Conference and codenamed the Argonaut Conference, held February 4–11, 1945, was the wartime meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, represented by President Franklin D...
remaining in Europe afterwords to carry out various missions for the president, until his trip was cut short by news of Roosevelt's death.
On June 15, 1927, he married Helen Margaret Jones. In 1947, Flynn wrote the book You're the Boss about his experiences in politics. He had helped Roosevelt through all of his elections. Flynn was one of the driving forces behind Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
's 1948 election victory
United States presidential election, 1948
The United States presidential election of 1948 is considered by most historians as the greatest election upset in American history. Virtually every prediction indicated that incumbent President Harry S. Truman would be defeated by Republican Thomas E. Dewey. Truman won, overcoming a three-way...
.
Flynn died in 1953 while on a visit to Ireland. His papers were given by his family to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, to be available for the public.
The phrase "in like Flynn
In Like Flynn
"In like Flynn" is a slang phrase meaning "having completed a goal or gained access as desired". In addition to its general use, the phrase is sometimes used to describe success in sexual seduction, and its folk etymology often asserts the phrase has sexual origins.-Origins:The term is often...
" has sometimes been claimed to be a reference to Flynn, though its folk etymology more frequently associates it with actor Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn
Errol Leslie Flynn was an Australian-born actor. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films, being a legend and his flamboyant lifestyle.-Early life:...
. Etymologist Eric Partridge
Eric Partridge
Eric Honeywood Partridge was a New Zealand/British lexicographer of the English language, particularly of its slang. His writing career was interrupted only by his service in the Army Education Corps and the RAF correspondence department during World War II...
presents evidence that candidates Flynn backed were almost automatically "in," citing usage during Flynn's life that refers to him.
Sources
- Biography at FDR Library website
- Political Graveyard
- Short biographical entry from The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition, at Encyclopedia.com (giving wrong birth year), also available from Bartleby.com
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,823014,00.html?iid=chix-sphereObituary paragraph in TIMETimeTime is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
Magazine, on August 31, 1953]