Richard J. Daley

Biography

Richard Joseph Daley was a powerful Chicago politician who served as mayor from 1955 and chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party from 1953 until his death in 1976. As mayor, he helped save Chicago from economic decline by leveraging his strong Irish Catholic base and connections to national politicians like Lyndon B. Johnson. A patriarch of the Daley political family, Richard J. Daley's legacy continues through his sons, Richard M. and William M., who also held prominent positions.