W. Arthur Cunningham | |
---|---|
New York City Comptroller | |
In office January 1, 1934 – May 5, 1934 | |
Preceded by | George McAneny |
Succeeded by | Joseph McGoldrick |
Personal details | |
Born | 1894 Manhattan, New York City, New York |
Died | May 5, 1934 (aged 39 Asharoken, Long Island, New York |
Cause of death | Heart attack |
Resting place | Calvary Cemetery |
Political party | independent Democrat |
Residence(s) | Forest Hills, Queens, New York City |
Alma mater | Fordham Law School |
Occupation | lawyer, businessman |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Rank | Major |
Unit | 165th Infantry Brigade |
Battles/wars | World War I |
Awards | Croix de Guerre |
Memorials | Cunningham Park |
W. Arthur Cunningham (1894 – May 5, 1934) was an American lawyer who served in the United States Army during World War I and rose to the rank of major. He received the Croix de Guerre and became a banking executive before taking office as New York City Comptroller for five months in 1934.
Cunningham was born in Manhattan, New York City, to Irish parents. [1] [2] He grew up in Brooklyn, and attended St. James's Academy, graduating in 1910. [3] He received an L.L.B. degree from Fordham Law School in 1915, and was admitted to the bar the following year. [4]
Cunningham served in World War I as a Major of the 69th and later 165th Infantry Brigade of the United States Army in the American Expeditionary Forces [2] [5] [6] It was part of the 42nd, or Rainbow Division. [7] He fought the Germans in Lunéville, France, and in the Meuse–Argonne offensive. [8] He received the Croix de Guerre with Palm for conspicuous bravery and the Purple Heart decoration for military merit. [8] [9] [10] [11]
He was later an officer of the Textile Banking Corporation, first as counsel and later as vice president until 1933. [12] He and his wife, the former Agnes Evelyn Quinn whom he married in 1927, and their two sons were residents of Forest Hills, Queens. [13] [14]
Cunningham, an independent Democrat, successfully ran for the position of New York City Comptroller in 1933 on Mayor LaGuardia's Fusion ticket. [15] [16] [17] [18] In his campaign he pledged to keep the 5-cent ($1.18 in current dollar terms) fare if feasible. [19] A soldier, businessman, and lawyer without any previous experience in politics. [7] [4] After being sworn into office, Cunningham found the city deeply in debt. [20] [21]
Cunningham died of a heart attack four months after taking office while riding a horse in Asharoken, Long Island with Raymond C. Ingersoll, son of Brooklyn Borough President Raymond V. Ingersoll, on May 5, 1934. [4] [13] He was 39 years old. [13] Mayor LaGuardia ordered that flags be at half mast for ten days as a tribute to Cunningham. [13]
His body was buried in Calvary Cemetery near Long Island City. [6] Queens Borough President George U. Harvey, a friend, thought that Cunningham's death was caused in part by his worries about the city's problems. [22]