Mayor of New York City. Shortly after his birth his father, Robert Morris removed the family from Manhattan to Claverack, Columbia County, New York. It was there that Robert was educated. After his preparatory education was completed he studied law in the office of Elisha Williams then head of the Columbia County bar. After successfully passing the bar he began his law practice in Johnstown, New York, but moved to New York City in 1827 to expand his practice. It wasn't long before he became the assistant district attorney of the southern district of new york as well as being elected to the New York General Assembly in 1833 and 1834. In 1838 he was appointed by the Governor as recorder of the city of New York serving until 1841. On April 13, 1841 running as a Democrat in the mayoral contest he was elected mayor by 396 votes. He became the sixty fourth mayor of New York City. The following year he was re-elected winning the election by almost two thousand votes. In 1843 he won his last mayoral election serving until his term expired in 1844. In 1845 he was appointed by President Polk as Postmaster of New York City and three years later he was elected as a member of the New York State Constitutional Convention. As mayor of New York he was credited with the drafting of laws replacing the ancient watchman positions with a professional police force. His last political position came in 1852 when he was appointed a Justice of the New York Supreme Court.
Mayor of New York City. Shortly after his birth his father, Robert Morris removed the family from Manhattan to Claverack, Columbia County, New York. It was there that Robert was educated. After his preparatory education was completed he studied law in the office of Elisha Williams then head of the Columbia County bar. After successfully passing the bar he began his law practice in Johnstown, New York, but moved to New York City in 1827 to expand his practice. It wasn't long before he became the assistant district attorney of the southern district of new york as well as being elected to the New York General Assembly in 1833 and 1834. In 1838 he was appointed by the Governor as recorder of the city of New York serving until 1841. On April 13, 1841 running as a Democrat in the mayoral contest he was elected mayor by 396 votes. He became the sixty fourth mayor of New York City. The following year he was re-elected winning the election by almost two thousand votes. In 1843 he won his last mayoral election serving until his term expired in 1844. In 1845 he was appointed by President Polk as Postmaster of New York City and three years later he was elected as a member of the New York State Constitutional Convention. As mayor of New York he was credited with the drafting of laws replacing the ancient watchman positions with a professional police force. His last political position came in 1852 when he was appointed a Justice of the New York Supreme Court.
Bio by: Saratoga
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