William Thomas Byrne

William Thomas Byrne (March 6, 1876 – January 27, 1952) was an attorney and politician from Albany, New York. He was most notable for his service in the New York State Senate (1923-1936) and a United States representative from New York (1937 until his death).

Early life Byrne was born in Florida, Montgomery County, New York, and was the son of Richard Henry Byrne, a carpenter, and Margaret Manifold Byrne, a school teacher, both of whom were immigrants from Ireland. His family moved to Albany when he was an infant, and his father operated a bar and grill on Broadway while Byrne attended the city's public schools. Byrne spoke frequently at public events and developed a nationwide reputation as an orator on behalf of these and other organizations. Byrne had been a friend of the Roosevelt family since the early 1920s, and frequently visited the governor's mansion during Roosevelt's governorship. His funeral was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on January 31, 1952. Honorary bearers included Daniel P. O'Connell, Erastus Corning 2nd and John Boyd Thacher II.

Family In 1908, Byrne married Josephine Diener at St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, New York.