Robert Tyng Bushnell (January 9, 1896 — October 23, 1949) was an American politician who served as Massachusetts Attorney General from 1941 to 1945.
Robert T. Bushnell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 30th Attorney General of Massachusetts | |
| In office 1941–1945 | |
| Governor | Leverett Saltonstall |
| Preceded by | Paul A. Dever |
| Succeeded by | Clarence A. Barnes |
| Middlesex County District Attorney | |
| In office 1927–1931 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur K. Reading |
| Succeeded by | Warren L. Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Tyng Bushnell January 9, 1896 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 23, 1949 (aged 53)[1] New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sylvia P. Folsom (1924-1949) [2] |
| Residence(s) | West Newton, Massachusetts New York City[3] |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Early life and career
editBorn in New York City, Robert Tyng Bushnell graduated from Phillips Andover Academy, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School.[4]
From 1927 to 1931, Bushnell served as District Attorney of Middlesex County,[5] President of the Republican Club of Massachusetts,[6] and chairman of the Boston chapter of the Motion Picture Research Council[7] before being elected Attorney General.
Attorney General of Massachusetts
editAs Attorney General, Bushnell lead the investigation into the Cocoanut Grove fire.[8] Bushnell's investigation resulted a reform of fire codes and club owner Barney Welansky being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
In 1941, Bushnell and state representative Benjamin Priest conducted the prosecution during the impeachment trial of Massachusetts Governor's Councilor Daniel H. Coakley. On October 2, 1941, the Massachusetts Senate found Coakley guilty on 10 of the 14 articles on impeachment. The Senate voted 28 to 10 to remove Coakley from office and 23 to 15 to bar him for life from holding a place of "profit or honor or trust" in the Commonwealth.[9]
In 1942, Bushnell tried to have fascist leader Edward Holton James committed to a psychiatric state hospital after he was indicted on charges of criminal libel.[10]
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.[11]
Death
editBushnell died of a heart attack on October 23, 1949, in his suite at the Hotel Royalton in New York City.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Bushnell, Robert Tyng (1896-1949)". Retrieved 2010-02-13.
- ^ Richard T. Howard. Public Officials of Massachusetts 1941-42. Richard T. Howard.
- ^ Richard T. Howard. Public Officials of Massachusetts 1941-42. Richard T. Howard.
- ^ Public Officials of Massachusetts 1941-42. Richard T. Howard. 1941. p. 26.
- ^ "Bushnell, Robert Tyng (1896-1949)". Retrieved 2010-02-13.
- ^ "CURLEYISM' DOOMED, REPUBLICAN ASSERTS; Dog Racing in Massachusetts Will Also Go, R.T. Bushnell Declares at Wayland". New York Times. August 25, 1935.
- ^ "Block Booking System Flayed". Los Angeles Times. April 6, 1939.
- ^ FRANK S. ADAMS (December 2, 1942). "BOSTON SHUTS CLUBS AND BEGINS INQUIRY; Suspends Licenses and Halts Entertainment at 1,161 Other Establishments DOORS LOCKED, MANY SAY Witnesses Tell of Cocoanut Grove Flight -- Death List Is Revised Down to 474". New York Times.
- ^ Harris, John G. (June 14, 1941). "Coakley Outsted: Guilty on 10 Counts". The Boston Daily Globe.
- ^ "James, Leader of Harvard Fascists, Called Sane In New Trial Deferment". The Harvard Crimson. July 6, 1942. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
- ^ "Heads of Boston Police Indicted In Plot to Permit Gaming Houses; HEADS OF POLICE INDICTED IN BOSTON". New York Times. March 28, 1943.
- ^ "Robert Bushnell Dies Suddenly in N.Y. Hotel". The Boston Daily Globe. p. 25. Retrieved March 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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