James Michael Curley was a powerful Boston politician for more than 50 years. Curley, who served in many local positions, including mayor, used political patronage to solidify his Democratic Party constituency. However, he was convicted of political corruption in the 1940s and thereafter was unable to win further elected offices.

Curley was born on November 20, 1874, in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Irish immigrants. He worked as a salesman before becoming involved in the real estate and insurance business. However, Curley soon set his sights on political office. A gifted orator with good political instincts, Curley was elected to the Boston common council in 1901. In 1902, he was elected to the Massachusetts house of representatives but declined to stand for reelection. Instead, Curley was elected to Boston's board of aldermen in 1904, a position he held until 1909. Curley's political meandering continued for the next few years. He returned to the Boston city...