Alfred Emanuel Smith Biography

(42nd Governor of New York (1923-28))

Birthday: December 30, 1873 (Capricorn)

Born In: New York, New York, United States

Alfred Emanuel “Al” Smith was an American politician who served as the Governor of New York for four times and became the first ever Catholic nominee for President. He was a very popular Governor and is credited to have brought about a wide range of reforms during the 1920s. He was a strong opponent of Prohibition and found loyal supporters in the citizens who themselves were against Prohibition. He hailed from a humble family and had struggled much through life. This enabled him to connect with the plight of the common working-class people and he strived to work towards their betterment by implementing reformatory policies while he was the governor. His story is a typical rags-to-riches tale. After losing his father as a teenager, he worked as a newsboy and a fishmonger for years before he could enter the world of politics. Blessed with a charismatic personality and powerful oratory skills, he soon worked up his way to become the Governor of New York. His successful stint as the governor endeared him to the people and he was re-elected to the post three more times. He was an ambitious man and had lofty dreams, however, he could not achieve his dream of becoming the President in spite of being a much loved and respected figure in American politics.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Al Smith

Died At Age: 70

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Catherine Ann Dunn

father: Alfred E. Smith

mother: Catherine Mulvihill

children: Alfred Smith, Jr.

Born Country: United States

Political Leaders American Men

political ideology: Democratic

Died on: October 4, 1944

place of death: New York, New York, United States

Ancestry: Italian American

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

U.S. State: New Yorkers

  • 1

    What political party did Alfred Emanuel Smith belong to?

    Alfred E. Smith was a member of the Democratic Party.

  • 2

    What was Alfred Emanuel Smith's role in the New York State government?

    Alfred E. Smith served as the Governor of New York from 1919 to 1920 and again from 1923 to 1928.

  • 3

    What major policy initiatives was Alfred Emanuel Smith known for during his time as Governor of New York?

    As Governor, Alfred E. Smith was known for his progressive policies, including workers' compensation, child welfare laws, and improvements in education.

  • 4

    What was Alfred Emanuel Smith's stance on Prohibition?

    Alfred E. Smith was a vocal opponent of Prohibition and advocated for its repeal, as he believed it led to increased crime and corruption.

  • 5

    What was the impact of Alfred Emanuel Smith's presidential campaign in 1928?

    Alfred E. Smith made history as the first Roman Catholic to receive a major party's presidential nomination, but ultimately lost to Herbert Hoover in the election.

Childhood & Early Life
He was born on December 30, 1873, in Manhattan to Alfred Emanuele Ferraro (who later took the name Alfred E. Smith) and his wife Catherine Mulvihill. He was of mixed descent though he identified most with the Irish American community.
His father, a Civil War veteran who owned a small trucking firm, died when Alfred was just 13. The young boy who was then studying at St. James school dropped out to support his family.
He found work as a fishmonger at the Fulton Fish Market. He never went to high school or college and was a self-learned man.
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Career
He always had a keen interest in politics and his career in this field was launched in 1895 when Tammany Hall, the New York City Democratic political organization, made him an investigator in the office of the city commissioner of jurors.
From 1904 to 1915 he served as a member of the New York State Assembly. He had begun to gain reputation as a persuasive speaker during his work with Tammany Hall and polished his oratory skills even more as a member of the New York State Assembly.
In 1911, several workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and a commission was set up to investigate the factory conditions in which Smith served as vice chairman. He advocated corrective legislation and protested against dangerous factory practices.
He was elected Sheriff of New York County in November 1915 due to his popularity and he led the Progressive movement in New York City and state.
In 1917, he was elected President of the Board of Aldermen of the City of New York and in 1918 he was elected as the Governor of New York.
He lost the re-elections in 1920 but emerged successful in the following New York state election in 1922. He went on to win the elections in 1924 and 1926 as well, establishing his popularity as a politician.
As a governor he became a much respected figure who implemented progressive measures to make the government more efficient in meeting the needs of the society.
Several laws including the ones governing the workers’ compensation and women’s pensions were strengthened during his term. His tenure came to an end in 1928 when he lost the re-election.
His name was proposed for nomination as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate by fellow Democrat Franklin Roosevelt, in 1924. However, the nomination eventually went to John W. Davis who then lost the election to the Republican candidate Calvin Coolidge.
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In 1928, he was nominated as the Democrat candidate for the Presidential election. However, the fact that he was Roman Catholic and of Irish origin did not find favor with the electorate, and he lost the election to the Republican candidate Herbert Hoover.
He became the president of Empire State, Inc. in 1928. The company built and operated the Empire State Building, the world’s tallest skyscraper during those days.
In 1929, he was elected as President of the Board of Trustees of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University.
He returned to politics in 1938 as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Albany, and once again became one of the convention’s leading figures with his experience and made significant contributions to the provision for housing.
Personal Life & Legacy
Al Smith married his childhood sweetheart Catherine Ann Dnn in 1900. The couple had five children—two daughters and three sons. Smith remained deeply in love with his wife till the very end.
He was a leading layman of the Roman Catholic Church and was honored by appointment as a Knight of St. Gregory and a Papal Chamberlain in 1938.
His wife became ill with cancer and died in May 1944. Devastated by the loss of his life partner, his health began to deteriorate. He died of a heart attack on October 4, 1944, just five months after the death of his beloved wife.
Facts About Alfred Emanuel Smith

Smith was known for his sense of humor and quick wit, often delighting audiences with his entertaining speeches and remarks.

Despite his high-profile political career, Smith maintained a down-to-earth demeanor and was known for his accessibility to the public.

Smith was a devoted family man and cherished spending time with his wife and children, often prioritizing family gatherings over political engagements.

He had a passion for baseball and was a dedicated fan of the New York Yankees, frequently attending games and rooting for his favorite team.

Smith had a keen interest in music and was known to have a good singing voice, often entertaining friends and colleagues with his musical talents.

See the events in life of Alfred Emanuel Smith in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Alfred Emanuel Smith Biography
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- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/alfred-e-smith-3520.php

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