William Anderson Magee (1873–1938) was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood the site of the present day Mellon Arena and the region's hub for African American culture. Before becoming mayor he gained his reputation by serving as Assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County of which Pittsburgh is the County Seat. He twice served as Mayor of Pittsburgh, from 1909 to 1914, and again from 1922 to 1926. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1901 to 1904.[1]
Magee oversaw several developments in the city, the most notable of which were the opening of the first National League concrete baseball park Forbes Field in the city's Oakland neighborhood. To top that achievement the Pittsburgh Pirates won their first World Series in their first season in the park.
On policy the Magee administration instituted a motorized police force for the first time in the city. He also oversaw the local institution of the national prohibition laws during his second term in office. He was the first man to serve the new expanded four year term for the Mayor's office.
Mayor Magee lives on through both Magee-Women's Hospital and Magee Street in the city, both were named for the family and the Mayor's notable uncle, Christopher Lyman Magee.
Magee also wrote an informative article about what he considered to be the inefficiencies of city government. http://www.library.cornell.edu/Reps/DOCS/magee.htm
While many of the concepts he addresses seem practical and logical, at the time of publication City Governments were run through executive checks and balances, to the point of ineffectiveness. The caution or national 'fear' of a powerful central government and the adoption of the 'checks and balances' system at the National level trickled down to the most local of city governments. Magee addresses this, and states that City Governments should be more centralized and focused in order to be effective.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George W. Guthrie |
Mayor of Pittsburgh 1909–1914 |
Succeeded by Joseph G. Armstrong |
| Preceded by Edward V. Babcock |
Mayor of Pittsburgh 1922–1926 |
Succeeded by Charles H. Kline |