Newbold Morris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newbold Morris
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| Parks Commissioner of New York City | |
| In office May 24, 1960 – January 15, 1966 |
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| Appointed by | Robert F. Wagner Jr. |
| Preceded by | Robert Moses |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Hoving |
| President of the New York City Council | |
| In office 1938–1945 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Vincent R. Impellitteri |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Augustus Newbold Morris
February 2, 1902 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 1966 (aged 64) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Margaret Copley Thaw
(m. 1925; div. 1940)Constance Hand
(m. 1942) |
| Children | 4, Richard (stepson) |
| Relatives | George Morris (brother) Learned Hand (father-in-law) Augustus Newbold Morris (grandfather) |
| Education | Yale University (BA, LLB) |
Newbold Morris (born February 2, 1902 – died March 30, 1966) was an important American politician and lawyer. He served as the President of the New York City Council and even ran for mayor of New York City twice. He also played a big role in managing New York City's parks.
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Early Life and Education
Newbold Morris was born in New York City. He never used his first name, Augustus. His parents were Augustus Newbold Morris and Helen Schermerhorn Kingsland. He had two younger brothers: George, who became a painter, and Stephen, who became a diplomat.
His family built a large home called Brookhurst in Lenox, Massachusetts. This house was special because it stayed in their family for a long time.
Newbold Morris came from a well-known family in New York, the Morris family of the Bronx. He went to the Groton School and then to Yale University. At Yale, he was part of a special group called the Scroll and Key Society.
Public Service Career
Newbold Morris dedicated much of his life to public service in New York City.
Leading the City Council
Morris was a member of the New York City Planning Commission. He then became the President of the New York City Council from 1938 to 1945. He worked under Mayor Fiorello La Guardia during this time.
In September 1938, he even served as the acting mayor of New York City for three weeks. This happened when Mayor La Guardia was away. During this time, a large truckers' strike began in the city.
Morris also ran for mayor of New York City in 1945 and 1949. He helped start the City Center Theater in 1943. He also helped create the New York City Opera in 1944. He was the chairman of the board for the City Center until he passed away.
Investigating Government Issues
In 1952, Morris was asked to be a special assistant to the Attorney General. His job was to investigate possible problems within the United States Department of Justice. He sent out questionnaires to officials and asked to see important records.
However, after only 63 days, he was let go from this job. A few days later, the Attorney General himself had to leave his position.
New York City Parks Commissioner
On May 24, 1960, Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. appointed Newbold Morris as the Parks Commissioner of New York City. He took over from Robert Moses, who had been Commissioner for a very long time.
One of Morris's goals was to save the famous Doric columns from the old Penn Station. Many people thought tearing down Penn Station was a big loss for the city's architecture. Morris tried to prevent the columns from being destroyed, but he was not successful. They were eventually discarded.
A notable event during his time as Commissioner happened in Washington Square Park. Sunday folk music concerts were very popular there. But on April 9, 1961, Morris did not approve a permit for the folk singers. This led to a large protest, and many singers were arrested. The event received a lot of attention in newspapers.
Morris served as Parks Commissioner until he retired on January 15, 1966. Thomas P. F. Hoving took his place.
Personal Life
Newbold Morris was married twice. In 1925, he married Margaret Copley Thaw. They had two sons together:
- Peter Van Courtlandt Morris, born in 1931, who became a pianist and composer.
- Newbold Morris, born in 1933, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
They divorced in 1940.
In 1942, Morris married Constance Hand Jordan. She was the daughter of a famous judge, Learned Hand. Constance already had two children, including the actor Robert Anson Jordan. Mayor La Guardia performed their wedding ceremony at Gracie Mansion. Together, Newbold and Constance had two more children:
- Lewis Morris, born in 1944.
- Frances Morris, born in 1947.
Newbold Morris passed away on March 30, 1966, in New York City. This was just two months after he finished his term as Parks Commissioner. He left behind a significant estate.
Family Legacy
Through his son Peter, Newbold Morris was the grandfather of Theodora Winslow Morris. She became a doctoral candidate at Yeshiva University.
