William Mercer Lennox (August 8, 1900 – October 7, 1991) was a
Democratic politician from
Philadelphia who served as
sheriff
A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...
from 1952 to 1972.
Formative years and family
Born in Philadelphia on August 8, 1900, William M. Lennox was a son of Robert Lennox and his wife, Theresa Howarth Lennox. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the
United States Navy and served in the
First World War.
After the war, he worked as the business manager of athletics at the
University of Pennsylvania. In 1928, Lennox married Kathryn Kilgallen, with whom he had five children, Nancy, William, Jane, Mary Ellen and Benedict.
Career
In 1950, Democratic ward leaders nominated Lennox for the
Philadelphia City Council
The Philadelphia City Council, the legislative body of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, consists of ten members elected by district and seven members elected at-large. The council president is elected by the members from among their number. Each ...
during a special election that followed the death of
Charles E. O'Halloran. He won and served the remained of the term, which ended in 1952.
In 1951, instead of running for another term on the council, Lennox ran for sheriff and won. He was reelected in
1955
Events January
* January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama.
* January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut.
* January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...
,
1959
Events January
* January 1 - Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when the forces of Fidel Castro advance.
* January 2 - Lunar probe Luna 1 was the first man-made object to attain escape velocity from Earth. It reached the vicinity of E ...
,
1963
Events January
* January 1 – Bogle–Chandler case: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation scientist Dr. Gilbert Bogle and Mrs. Margaret Chandler are found dead (presumed poisoned), in bushland near the Lane Cov ...
, and
1967
Events
January
* January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair.
* January 5
** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...
.
After his fifth term, Lennox retired from office at the age of seventy-one, but remained active in the community, working as a volunteer at St. John's Hospice in Center City.
Death
Lennox died on October 7, 1991.
See also
*
List of members of Philadelphia City Council from 1920 to 1952
In 1919, Philadelphia adopted a new city charter. Among the changes enacted was a reduction of the size of the two-chambered, 190-member Philadelphia City Council, City Council to a unicameral, smaller body. The city was divided into eight distric ...
1980 interview with Lennox
References
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lennox, William M.
1900 births
1991 deaths
20th-century American politicians
Philadelphia City Council members
Pennsylvania Democrats
Sheriffs of Philadelphia
United States Navy sailors