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Malcolm Wilson (New York)
Encyclopedia
Charles Malcolm Wilson (February 26, 1914 – March 13, 2000) was the 50th Governor of New York from December 18, 1973, to December 31, 1974. He was a member of the New York State Assembly
from 1939 to 1958. He also served in the Navy
during World War II. In 1958, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York
on a gubernatorial ticket with Nelson Rockefeller
, and when they won, he served in that position until Rockefeller resigned. Wilson lost the 1974 gubernatorial election to Hugh Carey
.
In 1994, the Tappan Zee Bridge
was renamed in honor of Wilson. There is also a park in Yonkers, New York
named for him.
and Scottish
extraction. He had three siblings. His father, Charles H. Wilson, was a patent attorney who unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the State Assembly in 1912. His mother, Agnes, was a Republican activist and local party leader. The family moved to Yonkers, New York
when Wilson was eight.
in 1929 at only 15 years of age, Wilson earned a bachelor's degree from Fordham University
in 1933 at age 19 and a law degree
from Fordham University School of Law
in 1936 at age 22. Wilson was admitted to the bar and joined the White Plains, New York
firm that would eventually become known as Kent, Hazzard, Jaeger, Greer, Wilson, and Fay. Wilson practiced law at this firm for his entire career, and was made partner of the firm in 1946.
district that included Yonkers. He served in the Assembly for 20 years. During his tenure as a legislator, Wilson sponsored a large number of bills that became law. Among his bills that came into law was the Wilson Pakula Act
which prevented candidates from running in a party primary if they were not members of that party.
His political and legal careers were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Wilson joined the United States Navy
in 1943 and served on an ammunition ship, traveling to Europe several times. He was discharged in 1945 as a Lieutenant JG
. While he was at war, Wilson won re-election to the Assembly in absentia
.
The Rockefeller-Wilson ticket beat the odds, defeating the incumbent Democrat W. Averell Harriman
. After Wilson's election as Lieutenant Governor, he would go on to serve in that position for 15 years. The Rockefeller-Wilson ticket was re-elected in 1962, 1966 and 1970. Throughout his tenure, he tended to agree with Rockefeller's liberal republicanism, with the notable exception of abortion, the legalization of which Wilson opposed. Wilson defined himself as "an economic conservative and a human-rights liberal". During this time, another liberal Republican, Louis Lefkowitz
, served as Attorney General.
While governor, Malcolm Wilson greatly improved passenger rail service in New York State. Under his leadership, N.Y.C. -Albany-Montréal service and direct N.Y.C.-Buffalo-Detroit was revived; the latter service dropped under Democratic leadership as these are/were state supported passenger trains.
. Democrats swept to power across the nation in the 1974 general election, with Wilson losing the governor's mansion to Hugh Carey
, who won with 58% of the vote.
His wife Katherine (née McCloskey) died in 1980. In 1991 Wilson's health deteriorated, and he retired to New Rochelle, New York
.
When Malcolm Wilson died in 2000, his memorial service was held at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery
in Hawthorne, New York
.
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from 1939 to 1958. He also served in the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II. In 1958, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
on a gubernatorial ticket with Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
, and when they won, he served in that position until Rockefeller resigned. Wilson lost the 1974 gubernatorial election to Hugh Carey
Hugh Carey
Hugh Leo Carey was an American attorney, the 51st Governor of New York from 1975 to 1982, and a seven-term United States Representative .- Early life :...
.
In 1994, the Tappan Zee Bridge
Tappan Zee Bridge
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge, usually referred to as Tappan Zee Bridge, is a cantilever bridge in New York over the Hudson River at one of its widest points; the Tappan Zee is named for an American Indian tribe from the area called "Tappan"; and zee being the Dutch word for "sea"....
was renamed in honor of Wilson. There is also a park in Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
named for him.
Early life
Wilson was born in New York City into a Roman Catholic family of IrishIrish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
and Scottish
Scottish American
Scottish Americans or Scots Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in Scotland. Scottish Americans are closely related to Scots-Irish Americans, descendants of Ulster Scots, and communities emphasize and celebrate a common heritage...
extraction. He had three siblings. His father, Charles H. Wilson, was a patent attorney who unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the State Assembly in 1912. His mother, Agnes, was a Republican activist and local party leader. The family moved to Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
when Wilson was eight.
Education and professional career
After graduating from Fordham Preparatory SchoolFordham Preparatory School
Fordham Preparatory School is a private Jesuit all-boys high school located in the Bronx, New York City, with an enrollment of approximately 950 students. It is located on the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University....
in 1929 at only 15 years of age, Wilson earned a bachelor's degree from Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in 1933 at age 19 and a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
from Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law is a part of Fordham University in the United States. The School is located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, and is one of eight ABA-approved law schools in that city.-Overview:According to the U.S. News & World Report, 1,516 J.D. students attend...
in 1936 at age 22. Wilson was admitted to the bar and joined the White Plains, New York
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
firm that would eventually become known as Kent, Hazzard, Jaeger, Greer, Wilson, and Fay. Wilson practiced law at this firm for his entire career, and was made partner of the firm in 1946.
Political career
At age 24, just two years after graduating from Fordham Law, Wilson was elected to the State Assembly where he represented the Westchester CountyWestchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
district that included Yonkers. He served in the Assembly for 20 years. During his tenure as a legislator, Wilson sponsored a large number of bills that became law. Among his bills that came into law was the Wilson Pakula Act
Wilson Pakula
A Wilson Pakula is an authorization given by a political party to a candidate for public office in the State of New York which allows a candidate not registered with that party to run as its candidate in a given election....
which prevented candidates from running in a party primary if they were not members of that party.
His political and legal careers were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Wilson joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in 1943 and served on an ammunition ship, traveling to Europe several times. He was discharged in 1945 as a Lieutenant JG
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Merchant Marine USMM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade...
. While he was at war, Wilson won re-election to the Assembly in absentia
In absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
.
Rockefeller's right hand man
In 1958, Wilson decided to support Rockefeller for Governor despite the fact that the latter was a political novice, and had never run for office before. Wilson took pains to introduce Rockefeller to many politically powerful people in the state. They would frequently travel in Wilson's personal car, in order to play down the candidate's wealth.The Rockefeller-Wilson ticket beat the odds, defeating the incumbent Democrat W. Averell Harriman
W. Averell Harriman
William Averell Harriman was an American Democratic Party politician, businessman, and diplomat. He was the son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman. He served as Secretary of Commerce under President Harry S. Truman and later as the 48th Governor of New York...
. After Wilson's election as Lieutenant Governor, he would go on to serve in that position for 15 years. The Rockefeller-Wilson ticket was re-elected in 1962, 1966 and 1970. Throughout his tenure, he tended to agree with Rockefeller's liberal republicanism, with the notable exception of abortion, the legalization of which Wilson opposed. Wilson defined himself as "an economic conservative and a human-rights liberal". During this time, another liberal Republican, Louis Lefkowitz
Louis Lefkowitz
Louis J. Lefkowitz was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
, served as Attorney General.
While governor, Malcolm Wilson greatly improved passenger rail service in New York State. Under his leadership, N.Y.C. -Albany-Montréal service and direct N.Y.C.-Buffalo-Detroit was revived; the latter service dropped under Democratic leadership as these are/were state supported passenger trains.
Governor of New York
In December 1973, when Rockefeller resigned as governor to run the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans, Wilson assumed the governorship for the remaining year of Rockefeller's term and ran for re-election in 1974. The period was a difficult one for the nation, both in terms of economic and foreign policy, and for the Republican Party, which was weakened by the Watergate scandalWatergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulting from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement...
. Democrats swept to power across the nation in the 1974 general election, with Wilson losing the governor's mansion to Hugh Carey
Hugh Carey
Hugh Leo Carey was an American attorney, the 51st Governor of New York from 1975 to 1982, and a seven-term United States Representative .- Early life :...
, who won with 58% of the vote.
Later life and death
After losing the election, Wilson returned to his legal practice and served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Manhattan Bank for Savings from 1977 until 1986.His wife Katherine (née McCloskey) died in 1980. In 1991 Wilson's health deteriorated, and he retired to New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
.
When Malcolm Wilson died in 2000, his memorial service was held at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle. He is interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
The Gate of Heaven Cemetery, approximately 25 miles north of New York City, was established in 1917 at 10 West Stevens Ave. in Hawthorne, Westchester County, New York, United States, as a Roman Catholic burial site...
in Hawthorne, New York
Hawthorne, New York
Hawthorne is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place located in the town of Mount Pleasant in Westchester County, New York. The population was 4,586 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.