Matthew McCloskey

American diplomat, businessman and Democratic Party fundraiser

Matthew McCloskey
McCloskey (at right) with President Truman

United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office July 19, 1962 – June 7, 1964
President	John F. Kennedy
Preceded by	Grant Stockdale
Succeeded by	Raymond R. Guest
Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee
In office January 20, 1955 – April 5, 1962
Preceded by	Stanley Woodward
Succeeded by	Richard MaGuire

Personal details
Born	(1893-02-26)February 26, 1893 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	April 26, 1973(1973-04-26) (aged 80) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Helen Dudley
Children	6, including Thomas

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]

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

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