Austin J. Tobin
Encyclopedia
Austin Joseph Tobin served as the executive director of the Port of New York Authority, the precursor to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
, from 1942 until 1972. Tobin was educated at College of the Holy Cross
and Fordham Law School.
, Austin Tobin was educated at the College of the Holy Cross
and joined the Port Authority in 1927, where he served the first 15 years of his career in the law department. He started out as a law clerk
, and was promoted to assistant general council in 1935. In 1942, he was appointed as executive director of the Port Authority. During his thirty years in the post, he oversaw the development of the World Trade Center
, as well as the Lincoln Tunnel
, Newark Liberty International Airport
, the Port Authority Bus Terminal
. Tobin also sought control of LaGuardia
and John F. Kennedy International Airport
.
In 1966, Tobin received The Hundred Year Association of New York
's Gold Medal Award "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the City of New York."
He died on February 8, 1978.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
, from 1942 until 1972. Tobin was educated at College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
and Fordham Law School.
Biography
Born to an Irish-American family in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, Austin Tobin was educated at the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
and joined the Port Authority in 1927, where he served the first 15 years of his career in the law department. He started out as a law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
, and was promoted to assistant general council in 1935. In 1942, he was appointed as executive director of the Port Authority. During his thirty years in the post, he oversaw the development of the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
, as well as the Lincoln Tunnel
Lincoln Tunnel
The Lincoln Tunnel is a long tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting Weehawken, New Jersey and the borough of Manhattan in New York City.-History:...
, Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
. Tobin also sought control of LaGuardia
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally...
and John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
.
In 1966, Tobin received The Hundred Year Association of New York
The Hundred Year Association of New York
The Hundred Year Association of New York, founded in 1927, is a non-profit organization in New York City aimed at recognizing and rewarding dedication and service to the City of New York by businesses and organizations that have been in operation in the city for a century or more and by individuals...
's Gold Medal Award "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the City of New York."
He died on February 8, 1978.