Hugh O'Brien

Early life Born in Ireland on July 13, 1827, O'Brien emigrated to America in the early 1830s as a young child. He dropped out of public school at the age of twelve to pursue a career in newspapers, eventually becoming the editor of the Shipping and Commercial List.

Early political career O'Brien began his political career in 1875 after being elected to the Boston Board of Aldermen.

During his time as alderman, he was known for his advocacy toward public parks, having a hand in the city's acquisition of Franklin Park and the Back Bay land. He was a champion of the working class and helped pass legislation regulating the pay of men under city contractors. He also sought to decrease expenditures within the city, in order to lower taxes.

Mayoralty After having lost the 1883 Boston mayoral election to Republican Augustus Pearl Martin by 1,544 votes, O'Brien defeated Martin in a 1884 rematch by a margin of 3,326 votes. He was the first Irishman to become mayor of Boston.

O'Brien enacted numerous reforms and focused on controlling their subsequent expenses. He won reelection in 1885, 1886, and 1887, before being defeated by three-time challenger Republican Thomas N. Hart in the election of 1888.

Later life and death O'Brien was appointed by Mayor Nathan Matthews Jr. to Boston's Board of Survey, which was tasked with planning the city's streets.

He died on August 1, 1895, at the age of 68.