J. Raymond Jones
J. Raymond Jones (July 16, 1899 – June 9, 1991 New York City) was an African American New York City politician.[1]
Biography
He was born on July 16, 1895 in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies.[1]
He moved to New York City in 1918. Known as "The Fox," Jones was leader of Harlem's Carver Democratic Club.[2] He challenged Tammany Hall leader Carmine DeSapio twice, succeeding in 1964 in becoming Tammany's first black leader. In 1961 Jones supported the election of Robert F. Wagner Jr. as mayor of New York City, again in contrast to DeSapio. Jones served as mentor to many younger black politicians who later became prominent in New York politics. This group became known as the "Harlem Clubhouse". New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins said about Jones, "Without his counsel and guidance, Percy Sutton, Constance Baker Motley, Fritz Alexander, Charlie Rangel, Robert Weaver, and I might add, David N. Dinkins, would not have achieved as much. He was a true political pioneer and a deeply committed individual who dedicated his life to serving the people of New York."[1]
He was living at the Greater Harlem Nursing Home. He died on June 9, 1991 at the North General Hospital in Manhattan. He was 91 years old.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "J. Raymond Jones, Harlem Kingmaker, Dies at 91". New York Times. June 11, 1991. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
- ↑ http://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/publicaffairsbooks-cgi-bin/display?book=9781610393010 A Mayor's Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic
Further reading
- John C. Walker,The Harlem Fox: J. Raymond Jones at Tammany 1920:1970, New York: State University New York Press, 1989.
- David N. Dinkins, A Mayor's Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, PublicAffairs Books, 2013
| Preceded by Herbert Evans |
New York City Council, 21st District 1963–1965 |
Succeeded by Daniel Diggs |
| Preceded by Matthew Troy |
New York City Council, 5th District 1966–1969 |
Succeeded by Charles Taylor |