William W. Irwin

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This article is about the mayor of Pittsburgh, for other people named William Irwin see William Irwin (disambiguation).

William Wallace Irwin (January 8, 1807–September 15, 1856), was Mayor of Pittsburgh and a Whig member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

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[edit] Early life

William Irwin was born in Pittsburgh in 1807, and as a boy earned the lifelong nickname "pony Irwin" because of his habit of riding a pony everywhere he went. He was a graduate of Allegheny College. Coming home to Pittsburgh he ran successfully for Allegheny County District Attorney in 1838.

[edit] Pittsburgh politics

Upon being elected mayor in 1840 Irwin oversaw the expansion of infrastructure and government in the city to catch up with the regions rapid expansion. Under his administration four additional wards were added to the city.

See also: List of Mayors of Pittsburgh

[edit] United States House of Representatives

Irwin used his term as mayor as a touchstone for his race as a representative for U.S. Congress. He was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1842

[edit] Later life

After his term in Congress, Irwin was Chargé d'affaires to Denmark. He died in Pittsburgh in 1856. Interment in Allegheny Cemetery.

He was the father of educator Agnes Irwin.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
William Little		 Mayor of Pittsburgh
1840–1841		 Succeeded by
James Thomson
Preceded by
Henry Marie Brackenridge		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 22nd congressional district
1841-1843		 Succeeded by
Samuel Hays
Preceded by
Isaac Rand Jackson		 U.S. Ambassador to Denmark
1850–1851
As Chargé d’Affaires		 Succeeded by
Robert P. Flenniken