Christopher Augustine Buckley
Encyclopedia
Christopher Augustine Buckley, Sr. (December 25, 1845–1922), commonly referred to as Blind Boss Buckley, was a saloonkeeper and Democratic Party
political boss
in San Francisco, California. Though never holding public office, Buckley ruled the San Francisco Democratic Party apparatus in the late 19th century, a so-called Saloon Boss. As a young man he worked as a conductor on the Omnibus Railway Company's North Beach and South Park
line. He quickly started bar-tending through association with impresario Thomas McGuire, builder of the Jenny
Lind theaters, at McGuire's Snug Saloon.
Ravenswood, the Livermore, California
, estate he built in 1885 as a summer home, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Buckley arrived with his family in San Francisco in 1862, his father was an Irish immigrant stonemason who had traveled to California before he brought his family west.
He was a major force for the Democratic party in San Francisco, influencing state affairs, and counseling the president on federal patronage distribution. He was vilified as "what men call a crook." He was routinely accused in the newspaper for corruption, bribery, and even felonious crime. After his death the same newspapers lavished praise on him. The Chronicle described his charity acts "a kindly, just and generous dispensation..The passing of the great leader will be a tragedy to many who were aided by him in time of need." After joining the Democratic party he became blind. His blindness caused him to compensate by memorizing city ordinances, contracts, and other documents after having them read to him. He was able to recognize people just by their handclasp when shaking hands, prompting the local Chinese population to refer to him as "maang paak gwai" meaning the 'blind pale spirit.'
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
political boss
Political boss
A boss, in politics, is a person who wields the power over a particular political region or constituency. Bosses may dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves...
in San Francisco, California. Though never holding public office, Buckley ruled the San Francisco Democratic Party apparatus in the late 19th century, a so-called Saloon Boss. As a young man he worked as a conductor on the Omnibus Railway Company's North Beach and South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
line. He quickly started bar-tending through association with impresario Thomas McGuire, builder of the Jenny
Lind theaters, at McGuire's Snug Saloon.
Ravenswood, the Livermore, California
Livermore, California
Livermore is a city in Alameda County. The population as of 2010 was 80,968. Livermore is located on the eastern edge of California's San Francisco Bay Area....
, estate he built in 1885 as a summer home, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Buckley arrived with his family in San Francisco in 1862, his father was an Irish immigrant stonemason who had traveled to California before he brought his family west.
He was a major force for the Democratic party in San Francisco, influencing state affairs, and counseling the president on federal patronage distribution. He was vilified as "what men call a crook." He was routinely accused in the newspaper for corruption, bribery, and even felonious crime. After his death the same newspapers lavished praise on him. The Chronicle described his charity acts "a kindly, just and generous dispensation..The passing of the great leader will be a tragedy to many who were aided by him in time of need." After joining the Democratic party he became blind. His blindness caused him to compensate by memorizing city ordinances, contracts, and other documents after having them read to him. He was able to recognize people just by their handclasp when shaking hands, prompting the local Chinese population to refer to him as "maang paak gwai" meaning the 'blind pale spirit.'
Sources
Further reading
- William A Bullough, The Blind Boss & His City: Christopher Augustine Buckley and Nineteenth-century San Francisco, University of California Press, 1979. ISBN 978-0-520-03797-7