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 President Truman
United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office
July 19, 1962 – June 7, 1964
PresidentJohn F. Kennedy
Preceded byGrant Stockdale
Succeeded byRaymond R. Guest
Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee
In office
January 20, 1955 – April 5, 1962
Preceded byStanley Woodward
Succeeded byRichard MaGuire
Personal details
Born(1893-02-26)February 26, 1893
Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 1973(1973-04-26) (aged 80)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseHelen Dudley
Children6, 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.

References
  1. "Ex-Ambassador To Ireland Dead". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, New York. AP. April 27, 1973. Retrieved April 19, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  2. "M'CLOSKEY NOMINATED AMBASSADOR". The Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. AP. June 7, 1962. Retrieved April 19, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  3. "Matthew McCloskey". Spartacus Educational. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  4. Ehlinger, Robert J. (1987). Matt : a biography of Matthew H. McCloskey. Internet Archive. [U.S. : s.n.]
  5. "McCloskey & Company is formed – Cornerstone Holdings, LLC".
  6. concrete ship, shipbuildinghistory.com
  7. "Shipyards and Suppliers for U. S. Maritime Commission During World War II". www.usmm.org.
  8. "Democrats Name Part Treasurer". The Sun. Vol. 236, no. 54. January 20, 1955. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Democrat's Treasurer Resigns After 7 Years". The New York Times. Vol. CXI, no. 38058 (Late City ed.). United Press International. April 6, 1962. p. 23.
  10. "Matthew Henry McCloskey Jr. (1893–1973)". history.state.gov. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  11. "Envoy Resigns". The Bee. Danville, Virginia. January 18, 1964. Retrieved April 19, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  12. "McCloskey Faces Suit, FBI Probe". Philadelphia Daily News. January 23, 1964. Retrieved April 19, 2017 – via newspapers.com.

Further reading
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