Stanley M. Isaacs | |
|---|---|
 Isaacsc. 1937 | |
| 13thBorough President ofManhattan | |
| In office January 1, 1938 – December 31, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Levy |
| Succeeded by | Edgar J. Nathan |
| Minority Leader of the New York City Council | |
| In office January 4, 1950 – July 12, 1962 | |
| President | Vincent R. Impellitteri Joseph T. Sharkey(acting) Rudolph Halley Abe Stark Paul R. Screvane |
| Preceded by | Genevieve Earle |
| Succeeded by | Angelo J. Arculeo |
| Member of theNew York City Council | |
| In office January 1, 1942 – July 12, 1962 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Clark Baldwin |
| Succeeded by | Theodore R. Kupferman |
| Constituency | Manhattan At-Large(1942–1949) 20th district(1950–1962) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1882-09-27)September 27, 1882 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 12, 1962(1962-07-12) (aged 79) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | City Fusion(1941) |
| Relations | Samuel Myer Isaacs (grandfather) |
| Parent | Myer S. Isaacs (father) |
| Education | Columbia College New York Law School |
Stanley Myer Isaacs (September 27, 1882 – July 12, 1962)[1] was aRepublican politician fromNew York City who served asManhattanBorough President from 1938 to 1941 and later as a member of theNew York City Council from 1942 to 1962. He was Minority Leader of the council from 1950 to 1962.[2] An advocate for social justice, Isaacs is perhaps best known for his support forhousing and the work he did with MayorFiorello LaGuardia, whom he helped to get elected.[3]
Stanley Isaacs is also remembered for his role in exposing the shady financial arrangements between park commissionerRobert Moses and the restaurant Tavern in the Park's owner Arnold Schleifer during the "Battle for Central Park", in April 1956. This exposure would lead to further questioning of Moses, and eventually to the fall of the system of political patronage he led in the city.[4]
A graduate of bothColumbia College andNew York Law School,[5] Isaacs was born in Manhattan to a family ofEnglish-Jewish descent. His paternal grandfather,Samuel Myer Isaacs, was rabbi atTemple Shaaray Tefila. His father,Myer S. Isaacs, along with his grandfather, publishedTheJewish Messenger.[6][7]
Shortly before taking office as borough president, Isaacs sparked considerable controversy when he appointedSi Gerson, an open member of theCommunist Party, his confidential examiner[8] (also known as assistant),[9] making him the first Communist to hold any appointed office in New York City.[10] Although Isaacs defended his decision as being made on merit rather than political ideology,[11] Gerson was nonetheless forced to resign in September 1940;[12] facing a legal challenge from theAmerican Legion on his right to hold office, Gerson could not afford a legal team and theCity Corporation Counsel refused to take his case.[13][14] This controversy later led to county Republicans refusing to renominate Isaacs in 1941,[15] to which he retaliated by running for city council successfully as aCity Fusionist.[2]
Isaacs died of a heart attack at his home in Manhattan on July 12, 1962.[16]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) About the Isaacs Center: Who is Stanley M. Isaacs?{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) About the Isaacs Center| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minority Leader, New York City Council 1950–1962 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by District created | New York City Council, 20th district 1950–1962 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York City Council, Manhattan at-large district 1942–1950 | Succeeded by District abolished |
| Preceded by | Borough President ofManhattan 1938–1941 | Succeeded by |
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