James H. Boyd

James Howlett Boyd (November 5, 1906 – April 11, 1974) was an Atlantic City politician and criminal, who served under corrupt Atlantic County treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Johnson and New Jersey Senator Frank S. Farley.

Early life James H. Boyd was born on November 5, 1906, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

Prohibition Boyd was working as a bellhop at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during the time Prohibition went into effect in 1920. But, soon Boyd started to move up to the chain of command in corrupt Atlantic City treasurer and Southern Jersey boss Enoch “Nucky” Johnson's organization. Boyd and Johnson met around the time that Johnson and Charlie Luciano were forming the Big Seven and they took an instant liking to each other; Johnson began grooming Boyd to become the next boss in his organization. He later became Johnson's right-hand man.

Personal life Boyd was married to Marie Elizabeth Derro. He served in the Normandy battles, Northern France campaign, the Rhineland battles, and in Central Europe.

Death Boyd died in his home on April 11, 1974, of cancer, at the age of 67. Prior to her death in 2006, his wife established the James H. Boyd Memorial Scholarship at the Atlantic Cape Community College, worth $10,000.

Television adaptation Jimmy Darmody in the first two seasons of the HBO show Boardwalk Empire is, to some degree, based on Boyd. The fictional version of Boyd is a World War I veteran with a son and a wife. In the show, his father is Louis “Commodore” Kaestner (based on Louis “Commodore” Kuehnle) and his one-time mentor is corrupt Atlantic City treasurer and political boss Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (based on Enoch L. Johnson).

In the show, Darmody's associates/friends include: Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Al Capone, Johnny Torrio, Richard Harrow, and Mickey Doyle (based on Mickey Duffy).