William J. Galvin

William J. Galvin (June 28, 1904 – May 25, 1988) was an American politician who served on the Boston City Council and was the city's superintendent of markets.

Early life Galvin grew up in Charlestown and graduated from Charlestown High School. His first job was at a chocolate factory. During his tenure on the council he was engaged in the real estate business. From 1940 to 1944, Galvin was also chairman of the Democratic City Committee. He was defeated for reelection in 1941 by Michael Leo Kinsella.

In 1942, Galvin was appointed Superintendent of Markets by Mayor Maurice J. Tobin. This position was responsible for managing Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. In 1968 the city auditorium commission appointed him as superintendent of the John B. Hynes Memorial Auditorium. He held this position until his retirement in 1974. In 1956, one of his daughters, Kathryn, married Kevin H. White, the son of Boston City Councilor Joseph C. White. Kevin White served as Mayor of Boston from 1968 to 1984. William J. Galvin Jr. was an unsuccessful candidate for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth in the 1978 election and was appointed by White to a seat on the Massachusetts Parking Authority, where he succeeded another one of his brothers-in-law. Galvin left his entire estate to his son, save for $1 each left to his daughters. The will was contested by two of his daughters, who reached an out-of-court settlement with Galvin Jr. in 1989.