John Hynes
Encyclopedia
John B. Hynes a Massachusetts
politician
, was mayor of Boston 1950-1960.
Family background
Hynes was the son of Bernard Hynes, Abbey Street, Loughrea, County Galway
, Ireland
, who emigrated to Boston about 1890. Bernard Hynes was a member of the Hynes family of Kylegarriff, Killeenadeema, Loughrea http://www.irelandxo.com/family/family-tree-councillor-cllr-patrick-hynes-killeenadeema-and-loughrea-co-galway-2011-%E2%80%93-1820%E2%80%99s-.
A notable relative was Domingo O’Heyne (born 1683 in Cahererillan Castle, Kinvara, County Galway), a son of Edmond O’Heyne and grandson of Eugene O’Heyne of Lydacan Castle. In 1709 Dominigo, then Captain of the Irish Dragoons in the Spanish Army, was admitted to the Order of Saint James by the King of Spain.
Carrear
John Hynes was a graduate of Suffolk University Law School
. He was city clerk of Boston under James Michael Curley
during Curley's 1946 - 1950 term. When Curley was serving five months in prison in 1947 for official misconduct, Hynes served as acting mayor. Angry about Curley's off-hand but disparaging comments about Hynes' performance as acting mayor, Hynes decided to challenge Curley in the 1949 election and defeated him. Because of a change to the mayoral election system, the next election was held in 1951 and Hynes again defeated Curley. Hynes defeated Curley a third time in 1955 and went on to serve as mayor until 1960.
During his tenure as mayor, he oversaw the opening of the Central Artery
elevated highway through the city's waterfront district, as well as the opening of the Freedom Trail
, which traces many of Boston
's Revolutionary War era landmarks. He was responsible for founding the Boston Redevelopment Authority
(BRA), which laid the foundation for developments in Boston in the 1950s and beyond including the controversial razing of the West End. Hynes and his successors, John Collins
and Kevin White, are most responsible for the modernization of the city of Boston. The Hynes Convention Center
, located in the Back Bay section of Boston, is named for him. His son, Jack Hynes, is a longtime Boston news anchor.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, was mayor of Boston 1950-1960.
Family background
Hynes was the son of Bernard Hynes, Abbey Street, Loughrea, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, who emigrated to Boston about 1890. Bernard Hynes was a member of the Hynes family of Kylegarriff, Killeenadeema, Loughrea http://www.irelandxo.com/family/family-tree-councillor-cllr-patrick-hynes-killeenadeema-and-loughrea-co-galway-2011-%E2%80%93-1820%E2%80%99s-.
A notable relative was Domingo O’Heyne (born 1683 in Cahererillan Castle, Kinvara, County Galway), a son of Edmond O’Heyne and grandson of Eugene O’Heyne of Lydacan Castle. In 1709 Dominigo, then Captain of the Irish Dragoons in the Spanish Army, was admitted to the Order of Saint James by the King of Spain.
Carrear
John Hynes was a graduate of Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
. He was city clerk of Boston under James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
during Curley's 1946 - 1950 term. When Curley was serving five months in prison in 1947 for official misconduct, Hynes served as acting mayor. Angry about Curley's off-hand but disparaging comments about Hynes' performance as acting mayor, Hynes decided to challenge Curley in the 1949 election and defeated him. Because of a change to the mayoral election system, the next election was held in 1951 and Hynes again defeated Curley. Hynes defeated Curley a third time in 1955 and went on to serve as mayor until 1960.
During his tenure as mayor, he oversaw the opening of the Central Artery
Central Artery
The John F. Fitzgerald Expressway, known locally as the Central Artery, is a section of freeway in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, designated as Interstate 93, U.S. Route 1 and Route 3. It was initially constructed in the 1950s as a partly elevated and partly tunneled divided highway...
elevated highway through the city's waterfront district, as well as the opening of the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a red path through downtown Boston, Massachusetts, that leads to 16 significant historic sites. It is a 2.5-mile walk from Boston Common to Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Simple ground markers explaining events, graveyards, notable churches and other buildings, and a...
, which traces many of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's Revolutionary War era landmarks. He was responsible for founding the Boston Redevelopment Authority
Boston Redevelopment Authority
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is the municipal planning and development agency for Boston, working on both housing and commercial developments.The BRA was established by the Boston city council and the Massachusetts legislature in 1957...
(BRA), which laid the foundation for developments in Boston in the 1950s and beyond including the controversial razing of the West End. Hynes and his successors, John Collins
John F. Collins
John Frederick Collins was the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, United States from 1960 to 1968.-Biography:John Collins was born in Roxbury, Boston on July 20, 1919. In 1941 he graduated from Suffolk University Law School. He served a tour in the Army during World War II and four years later was...
and Kevin White, are most responsible for the modernization of the city of Boston. The Hynes Convention Center
Hynes Convention Center
The John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center located in Boston was built in 1988 from a design by architects Kallmann, McKinnell & Wood. It replaced a previous building, also a convention center, regarded as "ungainly." The 1988 design "attempted to relate in scale and materials to its...
, located in the Back Bay section of Boston, is named for him. His son, Jack Hynes, is a longtime Boston news anchor.