<P> William Magear Tweed ( April 3 , 1823 -- April 12 , 1878 ) -- often erroneously referred to as `` William Marcy Tweed '' ( see below ) , and widely known as `` Boss '' Tweed -- was an American politician most notable for being the `` boss '' of Tammany Hall , the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York City and State . At the height of his influence , Tweed was the third - largest landowner in New York City and a director of the Erie Railroad , the Tenth National Bank , and the New - York Printing Company , as well as proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel . </P>
<P> William Magear Tweed ( April 3 , 1823 -- April 12 , 1878 ) -- often erroneously referred to as `` William Marcy Tweed '' ( see below ) , and widely known as `` Boss '' Tweed -- was an American politician most notable for being the `` boss '' of Tammany Hall , the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York City and State . At the height of his influence , Tweed was the third - largest landowner in New York City and a director of the Erie Railroad , the Tenth National Bank , and the New - York Printing Company , as well as proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel . </P>
the political boss of new york city in the early 1870s was
the political boss of new york city in the early 1870s was
William Magear Tweed
William Magear Tweed