Robert T. Bushnell
Encyclopedia
Robert Tyng Bushnell was an American politician who served as Massachusetts Attorney General
from 1941-1945.
A Boston lawyer, Bushnell served as District Attorney of Middlesex County, President of the Republican Club of Massachusetts, and chairman of the Boston chapter of the Motion Picture Research Council before being elected Attorney General.
As Attorney General, Bushnell lead the investigation into the Cocoanut Grove fire
. Bushnell's investigation resulted a reform of fire codes and club owner Barney Welansky being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
In 1942, Bushnell tried to have socialist leader Edward Holton James
committed to a psychiatric state hospital after he was indicted on charges of criminal libel. In 1943, he indicted Boston Police Commissioner Joseph F. Timilty
and six of his subordinates on charges of conspiracy to permit the operation of gambling houses and the registration of bets.
Bushnell died on October 23, 1949 in his suite at the Royalton Hotel from a heart attack.
Massachusetts Attorney General
The Massachusetts Attorney General is an elected executive officer of the Massachusetts Government. The office of Attorney-General was abolished in 1843 and re-established in 1849. The current Attorney General is Martha Coakley....
from 1941-1945.
A Boston lawyer, Bushnell served as District Attorney of Middlesex County, President of the Republican Club of Massachusetts, and chairman of the Boston chapter of the Motion Picture Research Council before being elected Attorney General.
As Attorney General, Bushnell lead the investigation into the Cocoanut Grove fire
Cocoanut Grove fire
The Cocoanut Grove was Boston's premier nightclub during the post-Prohibition 1930s and 40s. On November 28, 1942, occurred the scene of what remains the deadliest nightclub fire, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more...
. Bushnell's investigation resulted a reform of fire codes and club owner Barney Welansky being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
In 1942, Bushnell tried to have socialist leader Edward Holton James
Edward Holton James
Edward Holton James was an American socialist. He was the nephew of philosopher William James and novelist Henry James.-Biography:He was born in 1873. He attended Harvard and graduated in 1896. He was arrested in 1915...
committed to a psychiatric state hospital after he was indicted on charges of criminal libel. In 1943, he indicted Boston Police Commissioner Joseph F. Timilty
Joseph F. Timilty (police commissioner)
Joseph F. Timilty was an American law enforcement officer and politician who served as Boston Police Commissioner from 1936 to 1943.Timilty was appointed police commissioner by Governor James Michael Curley on November 25, 1936...
and six of his subordinates on charges of conspiracy to permit the operation of gambling houses and the registration of bets.
Bushnell died on October 23, 1949 in his suite at the Royalton Hotel from a heart attack.