John F. Collins
Encyclopedia
John Frederick Collins was the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, United States
from 1960 to 1968.
. He served a tour in the Army during World War II and four years later was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. Collins spent two terms as senator and then ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 1954. While campaigning for a seat on the City Council
in 1955, he contracted polio, but continued with his campaign despite warnings from his doctors. He was elected to the Council and the following year was appointed to Register of Probate for Suffolk County
. In 1959, he ran against John E. Powers
for Mayor of Boston. Collins was widely viewed as the underdog in the race.
After leaving office in 1968, Collins held visiting and consulting professorships at MIT for 13 years.
in Boston
, on November 23, 1995. He was buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, five days later, following a funeral Mass at Boston's Holy Cross Cathedral celebrated by Cardinal Bernard Law.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1960 to 1968.
Biography
John Collins was born in Roxbury, Boston on July 20, 1919. In 1941 he graduated from Suffolk University Law SchoolSuffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
. He served a tour in the Army during World War II and four years later was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. Collins spent two terms as senator and then ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 1954. While campaigning for a seat on the City Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
in 1955, he contracted polio, but continued with his campaign despite warnings from his doctors. He was elected to the Council and the following year was appointed to Register of Probate for Suffolk County
Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County has no land border with Plymouth County to its southeast, but the two counties share a water boundary in the middle of Massachusetts Bay.-National protected areas:*Boston African American National Historic Site...
. In 1959, he ran against John E. Powers
John E. Powers
John E. Powers was an American politician who served as President of the Massachusetts Senate from 1959 to 1964....
for Mayor of Boston. Collins was widely viewed as the underdog in the race.
After leaving office in 1968, Collins held visiting and consulting professorships at MIT for 13 years.
Death and burial
Collins died of pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, on November 23, 1995. He was buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, five days later, following a funeral Mass at Boston's Holy Cross Cathedral celebrated by Cardinal Bernard Law.
External links
- Obituary
- Find-A-Grave profile for John F. Collins
- http://www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/ENDIRISH.TXT
- http://www.irishheritagetrail.com/jfcollins.htm
- NY Times Obituary
- http://www.thecrimson.com/printerfriendly.aspx?ref=492233
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,811423,00.html?iid=chix-del
- Boston Public Library. Collins, John F. (1919-1995) Collection