http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Russell_Grace

William Russell Grace (May 10, 1832 – March 21, 1904) was the first Roman Catholic mayor of New York City and the founder of W. R. Grace and Company.

Biography

He was born on May 10, 1832 in Ballylinan, County Laois, Ireland.

He began his business career in Peru, where he was a partner with the firm of John Bryce, ship chandlers, later to become Grace Brothers & Co. headquartered in London, England, and then W. R. Grace and Company.

Philanthropy

William Russell Grace was a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian, at one point contributing a quarter of the aid delivered to Ireland aboard the steamship Constellation during the famine of the later 1870s. In 1897, he and his brother, Michael, founded the Grace Institute for the education of women, especially immigrants.

Reform politics

Opposing the famous Tammany Hall, Grace was elected as the first Irish American Catholic mayor of New York City in 1880. He conducted a reform administration attacking police scandals, patronage and organized vice; reduced the tax rate and broke up the Louisiana Lottery. Defeated the following year, he was re-elected in 1884 on an Independent ticket but lost again the following year[3]. During his second term, Grace received the Statue of Liberty as a gift from France.

Nephew

His nephew Cecil Grace attempted a crossing of the English Channel in December 1910 in a aeroplane. He flew from Dover to Calais. However in coming back he became disoriented and over Dover flew northeast over the Goodwin Sands toward the North Sea and was lost.

See also, New York Times obituary March 22, 1904.