Matthew McCloskey

Matthew Henry McCloskey Jr. (February 26, 1893 – April 26, 1973) was a Philadelphia businessman and Democratic fundraiser who served as United States Ambassador to Ireland from 1962 to 1964.^[1]

Matthew McCloskey
McCloskey (at right) with Ex-President Truman c. 1962
United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office July 19, 1962 – June 7, 1964
President	John F. Kennedy
Preceded by	Grant Stockdale
Succeeded by	Raymond R. Guest
Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee
In office January 20, 1955 – April 5, 1962
Preceded by	Stanley Woodward
Succeeded by	Richard MaGuire
Personal details
Born	(1893-02-26)February 26, 1893 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	April 26, 1973(1973-04-26) (aged 80) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Helen Dudley
Children	6, including Thomas

Biography

McCloskey was born in West Virginia, and moved to Philadelphia with his family when he was two years old.^[2] At the age of 15 he left school and started working in construction; after a few years he started his own company.^[3] Buildings by the McCloskey Construction Company include the Rayburn House Office Building Philadelphia Convention Hall, the Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel, and District of Columbia Stadium (now RFK Stadium).^[3] "Matt: A Biography of Matthew H. McCloskey"^[4] by Robert J Ehlinger details McCloskey's life story. From 1943 to 1948, to help with the World War II efforts, McCloskey & Company built ships at the McCloskey & Company Shipyard in Tampa, Florida. ^[5][6][7]

Democratic Party

McCloskey was an active Democrat and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1936, 1940, 1944 and 1948.^[3] In 1955, he became Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, a role he held until 1962.^[8][9] He is credited with inventing $100-a-plate fundraising dinners.^[1][2]

Ambassador to Ireland

In 1962, McCloskey was appointed ambassador to Ireland by President Kennedy.^[10] After confirmation by the Senate, he presented his credentials to Irish leaders on July 19, 1962, and had the official title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.^[10]

Resignation

In early 1964, it was reported that McCloskey would resign his Ireland post in order to assist with fundraising for that year's presidential election.^[11] Shortly thereafter, his construction firm was named in a lawsuit alleging defective work during construction of a hospital in Boston, and in an FBI investigation into the awarding of contracts for District of Columbia Stadium work.^[12] His resignation as ambassador became official on June 7, 1964.^[10]

Personal life

McCloskey and his wife had six children, including Thomas McCloskey who succeeded his father in running the construction company. McCloskey died in Philadelphia in April 1973.