Robert T. Conrad
Encyclopedia
Robert Taylor Conrad was the first mayor of Philadelphia to take office following the Consolidation Act of 1854
.
Prior to being elected mayor, Conrad was recorder
(part-time judge) for the suburban township of Northern Liberties, which became part of the city under the Consolidation Act. In the 1854 Philadelphia mayoral election, Conrad was the nominee of both the Whigs
and Know Nothings (later known as the American Party). He won in a landslide, riding a wave of nativist sentiment that swept the United States in the mid-1850s.
Conrad was active as a writer and editor, and worked on such local periodicals as the Philadelphia Gazette (of which he also became part owner). He was also a talented poet and dramatist: according to his obituary in the New York Times, his play Jack Cade
was "one of the few American tragedies to hold the stage."
Notably, Conrad lived in West Philadelphia
(at the corner of Lancaster Road and Market Street) at a time when that part of the city was largely uninhabited.
Conrad was the son-in-law of U.S. Representative Thomas Kittera
.
Act of Consolidation, 1854
The Act of Consolidation, more formally known as the act of February 2, 1854 , was enacted by General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and approved February 2, 1854 by Governor William Bigler...
.
Prior to being elected mayor, Conrad was recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
(part-time judge) for the suburban township of Northern Liberties, which became part of the city under the Consolidation Act. In the 1854 Philadelphia mayoral election, Conrad was the nominee of both the Whigs
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
and Know Nothings (later known as the American Party). He won in a landslide, riding a wave of nativist sentiment that swept the United States in the mid-1850s.
Conrad was active as a writer and editor, and worked on such local periodicals as the Philadelphia Gazette (of which he also became part owner). He was also a talented poet and dramatist: according to his obituary in the New York Times, his play Jack Cade
Jack Cade
Jack Cade was the leader of a popular revolt in the 1450 Kent rebellion during the reign of King Henry VI in England. He died on the 12th July 1450 near Lewes. In response to grievances, Cade led an army of as many as 5,000 against London, causing the King to flee to Warwickshire. After taking and...
was "one of the few American tragedies to hold the stage."
Notably, Conrad lived in West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia, nicknamed West Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though there is no official definition of its boundaries, it is generally considered to reach from the western shore of the Schuylkill River, to City Line Avenue to the northwest, Cobbs Creek to the southwest, and...
(at the corner of Lancaster Road and Market Street) at a time when that part of the city was largely uninhabited.
Conrad was the son-in-law of U.S. Representative Thomas Kittera
Thomas Kittera
Thomas Kittera was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Thomas Kittera was the son of John Wilkes Kittera. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1805. He studied law, was admitted to the...
.
External links
- Robert T. Conrad. First Mayor of the Consolidated City of Philadelphia (an 1854 engraving of Conrad by John Sartain)
- Oration delivered by the Hon. Robert T. Conrad, at the celebration of the anniversary of American independence by the Philadelphia Repeal Association, at the Arch Street Theatre, July 5, 1841.