Mayor of Albany, New York. His great-grandfather, Erastus Corning II founded the New York Central Railroad and served as Albany mayor and congressman. His uncle Parker served as a congressman, and his father Edwin was lieutenant governor of New York. Corning graduated from Yale University in 1932, and was a partner in the Albany Associates insurance business. He served in the New York State Assembly from 1936-37 and the New York State Senate from 1937 to 1941. Corning served in the Army during World War II, receiving the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1941 he was elected mayor. He was reelected 10 times, and served from 1942 until his death, the longest-ever serving mayor of a large American city. He was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1946, and a delegate to the Democratic national conventions of 1944-48-52-56-60-72 and 1980. He served as chairman of the Albany County Democratic Committee from 1977 to 1983. During his final term he suffered failing health due to complications from emphysema, and he died at a Boston hospital.

Mayor of Albany, New York. His great-grandfather, Erastus Corning II founded the New York Central Railroad and served as Albany mayor and congressman. His uncle Parker served as a congressman, and his father Edwin was lieutenant governor of New York. Corning graduated from Yale University in 1932, and was a partner in the Albany Associates insurance business. He served in the New York State Assembly from 1936-37 and the New York State Senate from 1937 to 1941. Corning served in the Army during World War II, receiving the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1941 he was elected mayor. He was reelected 10 times, and served from 1942 until his death, the longest-ever serving mayor of a large American city. He was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1946, and a delegate to the Democratic national conventions of 1944-48-52-56-60-72 and 1980. He served as chairman of the Albany County Democratic Committee from 1977 to 1983. During his final term he suffered failing health due to complications from emphysema, and he died at a Boston hospital.

Bio by: Bill McKern