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American diplomat, businessman and Democratic Party fundraiser From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 President Truman | |
| 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 | February 26, 1893 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 1973 (aged 80) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Helen Dudley |
| Children | 6, including Thomas |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.
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