| W. Thacher Longstreth | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1920 Philadelphia |
| Died | April 11, 2003 (aged 83) Naples, Florida |
| Cause of death | pulmonary embolism |
| Education | BA, Princeton University |
| Occupation | Councilman |
| Employer | Philadelphia City Council |
| Political party | Republican |
| Board member of | National Multiple Sclerosis Society |
| Religion | Quaker |
| Spouse | Anne Nancy Claghorn |
William Thacher Longstreth (1920-2003) was a Republican member of the Philadelphia City Council, known for his influence. Longstreth was a graduate of Princeton University.
Longstreth was an eighth-generation Philadelphian born to Quakers William C. and Nella (née Thacher) Longstreth. His family lived in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and was affluent until the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Thacher was also a cousin of President Herbert Hoover and his maternal grandmother, Ella Hoover Thacher was the president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union for many years. In 1970, he led the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and spear-headed the drive to hold the annual Earth Day commemoration in Philadelphia. That event became one of the biggest Earth Day events in the nation.
He was a two-time Republican nominee for Mayor of Philadelphia, first in 1955, losing to Richardson Dilworth, and again in 1971, losing to Frank Rizzo.
During his tenure in office he helped support the efforts of Edmund Bacon to bring an urban renaissance to Philadelphia.
He enjoyed wearing bow ties and argyle socks. A long time Councilman At Large, he was a Republican in a city dominated by Democratic politicians.
The Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was established in 1954 by Thacher Longstreth and is one of the largest of the Society’s chapters.
He suffered from Parkinson's Disease[1] and died of a pulmonary embolism while on vacation in Naples, Florida.[2]