Martin Behrman
Encyclopedia
Martin Behrman an American Democratic
politician, was the longest-serving mayor in New Orleans history
.
. His parents brought him to New Orleans as an infant. He lived most of his life in the Algiers
neighborhood, on the west bank of the Mississippi River
. As a young man he became affiliated with the Regular Democratic Organization
, a powerful political faction in New Orleans, during the 1888 campaign
of Francis T. Nicholls
for governor of Louisiana. Behrman served as a delegate to the Louisiana state constitutional convention
in 1898.
Behrman eventually served as mayor for just under 17 years, first from 1904 to 1920. After four consecutive terms he was defeated by reform candidate Andrew J. McShane
. Behrman ran again in 1925 and won, serving from 1925 to 1926. He died in New Orleans less than a year into his fifth term.
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...
politician, was the longest-serving mayor in New Orleans history
History of New Orleans
The history of New Orleans, Louisiana traces the city's development from its founding by the French, through its period under Spanish control, then back to French rule before being sold to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase...
.
Biography
Behrman was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His parents brought him to New Orleans as an infant. He lived most of his life in the Algiers
Algiers, Louisiana
Algiers is a neighborhood within the city of New Orleans. It is the portion of Orleans Parish on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.Algiers is also known as the 15th Ward, one of the 17 Wards of New Orleans.-History:...
neighborhood, on the west bank of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. As a young man he became affiliated with the Regular Democratic Organization
Regular Democratic Organization
The Regular Democratic Organization , or Old Regulars, or the New Orleans Ring, is a conservative political organization based in New Orleans. It has existed for 130 years and as of 2006 is still active. The symbol of the RDO is the rooster...
, a powerful political faction in New Orleans, during the 1888 campaign
Political campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
of Francis T. Nicholls
Francis T. Nicholls
Francis Redding Tillou Nicholls was an American attorney, politician, judge, and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
for governor of Louisiana. Behrman served as a delegate to the Louisiana state constitutional convention
Constitutional convention (political meeting)
A constitutional convention is now a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution...
in 1898.
Behrman eventually served as mayor for just under 17 years, first from 1904 to 1920. After four consecutive terms he was defeated by reform candidate Andrew J. McShane
Andrew J. McShane
Andrew James McShane was mayor of New Orleans from 1920 to 1925.McShane was born in New Orleans, the son of two Irish-American Catholics, Bernard McShane and Rose McShane...
. Behrman ran again in 1925 and won, serving from 1925 to 1926. He died in New Orleans less than a year into his fifth term.
Quotes
- "You can make it illegal, but you can't make it unpopular." (referring to the closing of the StoryvilleStoryvilleStoryville was the red-light district of New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1897 through 1917. Locals usually simply referred to the area as The District.-History:...
district)
Places/things named after Martin Behrman
- Behrman Avenue, New Orleans
- Behrman Highway, New Orleans
- Behrman Memorial Park, including Behrman Gym & Stadium, 2529 General Meyer Avenue, New Orleans
- Behrman neighborhood in Algiers
- Martin Behrman Avenue, MetairieMetairie, LouisianaMetairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
, Louisiana - Martin Behrman Sr. High School, later Martin Behrman Middle School, later Martin Behrman Elementary School; 715 Opelousas Avenue, New Orleans
- SS Martin BehrmanSS Martin BehrmanThe SS Martin Behrman was an American Liberty ship built in 1944 for service in World War II. Her namesake was Martin Behrman, long-time mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana....
, a World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Liberty shipLiberty shipLiberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...