Hugo Rogers

Early life and career Rogers was born in New York in 1899 and attended Stuyvesant High School. He went on to graduate from the New York University School of Engineering and the New York Law School. Rogers served in the infantry in World War I, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

Rogers served as a counsel to the Democratic organization in New York's 17th congressional district, located in Harlem, and as counsel and secretary to the Democratic majority leader of the New York State Assembly in 1935. He also served for 14 years on the Tammany Hall law committee.

Borough President As a candidate, Rogers was an officer in uniform and could therefore not participate in political campaigns or give speeches. Instead, his speeches were made for him by other supporters. In 1949, however, he was pushed out of the position by the mayor and replaced by Carmine G. DeSapio. Rogers was then pressured out of running for reelection, although he argued that his departure from the race was only in the interest of party unity.

Later life Rogers died on December 14, 1974, of a heart attack at Polyclinic Hospital.