{{Short description|Chief executive of Boston, Massachusetts}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} {{for|the Mayor of Boston, Lincolnshire, England|Borough of Boston}} {{Infobox official post | post = Mayor | body = Boston | native_name = | flag = | flagsize = | flagborder = | flagcaption = | insignia = Seal of the Office of the Mayor of the City of Boston.png | insigniasize = | insigniacaption = Seal | image = Michelle Wu 53455940403 bd5ebc2ca6 o (2).jpg | imagesize = | alt = | incumbent = [[Michelle Wu]] | acting = no | incumbentsince = November 16, 2021 | type = [[Executive (government)|Chief executive]] | status = | department = | style = [[His Honor|His/Her Honor]] | abbreviation = | member_of = [[Aldermen|Board of Aldermen]]<br><small>(1822–1854)</small> | reports_to = | residence = None official | seat = [[Boston City Hall]] | nominator = [[Non-partisan democracy|Non-partisan]] [[nominating petition]] | appointer = [[Direct election|Popular vote]] | appointer_qualified = | termlength = Four years | termlength_qualified = | constituting_instrument = [[Boston City Charter]] | precursor = [[Boston Board of Selectmen]] | formation = Original Post:<br>[[Boston_City_Charter#First_City_Charter|1822]]<br>Current form:<br>[[Boston_City_Charter#Acts_of_1909|1909]] | first = [[John Phillips (mayor)|John Phillips]] | last = | abolished = | succession = | unofficial_names = | deputy = | salary = $199,000 (2018) <ref name=Valencia/> | website = {{URL|https://www.boston.gov/departments/mayors-office}} }} {{Sidebar | style = | name= | outertitle= | pretitle = | title = Boston mayoral elections | image = | headingstyle = | contentstyle = | above = | heading1 = | content1 = One-year terms:<br> [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1854]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1855]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1856]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1857]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1858]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1859]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1860]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1861]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1862]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1863]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1864]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1865]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1866]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1867]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1868]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1869]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1870]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1871]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1872]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1873]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1874]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1875]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1876]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1877]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1878]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1879]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1880]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1881]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1882]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1883]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1884]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1885]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1886]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1887]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1888]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1889]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1890]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1891]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1892]] [[1854 Boston mayoral election|1893]] [[1894 Boston mayoral election|1894]] <br> Two-year terms:<br> [[1895 Boston mayoral election|1895]] [[1897 Boston mayoral election|1897]] [[1899 Boston mayoral election|1899]] [[1901 Boston mayoral election|1901]] [[1903 Boston mayoral election|1903]] [[1905 Boston mayoral election|1905]] [[1907 Boston mayoral election|1907]] <br> Four-year terms:<br> [[1910 Boston mayoral election|1910]] [[1914 Boston mayoral election|1914]] [[1917 Boston mayoral election|1917]] [[1921 Boston mayoral election|1921]] [[1925 Boston mayoral election|1925]] [[1929 Boston mayoral election|1929]] [[1933 Boston mayoral election|1933]] [[1937 Boston mayoral election|1937]] [[1941 Boston mayoral election|1941]] [[1945 Boston mayoral election|1945]] [[1949 Boston mayoral election|1949]] [[1951 Boston mayoral election|1951]] [[1955 Boston mayoral election|1955]] [[1959 Boston mayoral election|1959]] [[1963 Boston mayoral election|1963]] [[1967 Boston mayoral election|1967]] [[1971 Boston mayoral election|1971]] [[1975 Boston mayoral election|1975]] [[1979 Boston mayoral election|1979]] [[1983 Boston mayoral election|1983]] [[1987 Boston mayoral election|1987]] [[1991 Boston mayoral election|1991]] [[1993 Boston mayoral election|1993]] [[1997 Boston mayoral election|1997]] [[2001 Boston mayoral election|2001]] [[2005 Boston mayoral election|2005]] [[2009 Boston mayoral election|2009]] [[2013 Boston mayoral election|2013]] [[2017 Boston mayoral election|2017]] [[2021 Boston mayoral election|2021]] ''[[2025 Boston mayoral election|2025]]'' <!-- space here for formatting purposes --> }}
The '''mayor of Boston''' is the head of the municipal government in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, United States. Boston has a [[mayor–council government]]. Boston's mayoral elections are [[Nonpartisanism|nonpartisan]] (as are all municipal elections in Boston), and elect a mayor to a four-year term; there are no term limits. The mayor's office is in [[Boston City Hall]], in [[Government Center, Boston|Government Center]].
The current mayor of Boston is [[Michelle Wu]].
==History== Prior to 1822, there was no mayor of Boston, because Boston was incorporated as a town. In Massachusetts, a town is typically governed by a [[town meeting]], with a [[board of selectmen]] handling regular business. Boston was the first community in Massachusetts to receive a city charter, which was granted in 1822.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18595155/untitled/ |title=(untitled) |newspaper=[[The Register-Herald|Weekly Raleigh Register]] |location=[[Raleigh, North Carolina]] |page=3 |date=March 22, 1822 |access-date=March 24, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Under the terms of the new charter, the mayor was elected annually. In June 1895, the charter was amended, and the mayor's term was increased to two years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116536375/charter-amended-part-1/ |title=Charter Amended |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116536460/charter-amended-part-2/ 6] |date=June 2, 1895 |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1909, the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]-controlled [[Massachusetts General Court|state legislature]] enacted [[strong-mayor]] charter changes it hoped would dampen the rising power of [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Irish American]]s.<ref>O'Neill, pp. 39–42</ref> Adopted by public vote in the November 1909 [[general election]], changes included extending the mayoral term to four years, and making the post formally non-partisan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18384700/new_boston_charter_is_the_worst_defeat/ |title=New Boston Charter is the Worst Defeat Ever Given Boss Rule |newspaper=The Marion Daily Mirror |location=[[Marion, Ohio]] |date=November 3, 1909 |access-date=March 17, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The reforms did not have the intended effect; the first mayor elected under the new charter was Democrat [[John F. Fitzgerald]] ("Honey Fitz"), and every mayor since Republican [[Malcolm Nichols]] (1926–1930) has been known to be a Democrat.
In a bid to temper the rising power of [[James Michael Curley]], the state legislature in 1918 passed legislation barring the mayor of Boston from serving consecutive terms in office;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54325212/the-boston-globe/ |title=Report Bill to Stop Consecutive Terms |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=6 |date=February 26, 1918 |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Curley was prevented from running for re-election twice by this law ([[1925 Boston mayoral election|November 1925]] and [[1933 Boston mayoral election|November 1933]]). The law was repealed in 1939,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116536795/elections-part-1/ |title=Elections |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116536895/elections-part-2/ 14] |date=November 8, 1939 |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> after Curley's political career appeared to be in decline.<ref>Allison and Bulger, pp. 86–87</ref>
Another charter change was enacted in 1949, partly in response to Curley's fourth term (1946–1950), during which he served prison time for crimes committed in an earlier term. Changes included adding a [[Partisan primary|preliminary election]] to narrow the field to two mayoral candidates in advance of the general election, changing the [[Boston City Council]] from having 22 members (one from each city [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|ward]]) to having nine members (elected [[at-large]]), and giving the council ability to override some mayoral vetoes.<ref name=cc1949>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116537055/plan-a-wins-boston-to-get-new-charter/ |title=Plan A Wins; Boston to Get New Charter |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=1 |date=November 9, 1949 |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> These changes went into effect in 1951, resulting in the first term of [[John B. Hynes]] being shortened to two years.
From 1951 through 1991, Boston mayoral elections were held the year before presidential elections (e.g. mayoral election in [[1951 Boston mayoral election|1951]], presidential election in [[1952 United States presidential election|1952]]). Starting in 1993, due to the election held following [[Raymond Flynn]]'s appointment as [[United States Ambassador to the Holy See]], Boston mayoral elections are held the year following presidential elections (e.g. presidential election in [[1992 United States presidential election|1992]], mayoral election in [[1993 Boston mayoral election|1993]]).
===Salary=== In June 2018, the council voted to increase the salary of the mayor to $207,000, effective after the mayoral election of [[2021 Boston mayoral election|November 2021]] (term starting in January 2022); this increased the salary of councillors to $103,500, effective after the council elections of [[2019 Boston City Council election|November 2019]] (terms starting in January 2020). In October 2022, the council voted to increase the salary of the mayor to $250,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2018/06/29/editorial-elected-leaders-profit-as-we-pay/ |title=Editorial: Elected leaders profit as we pay |newspaper=[[Boston Herald]] |date=June 29, 2018 |access-date=March 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name=Valencia>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29817479/mayor_councilors_could_get_4_raises/ |title=Mayor, councilors could get 4% raises |first=Milton J. |last=Valencia |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=B5 |date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=March 23, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
===Numbering=== There is no official count of Boston's mayors. The City of Boston does not number its mayors<ref name=bostonDOTgov>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.gov/departments/archives-and-records-management/quick-look-bostons-history |title=Past Mayors of Boston |website=boston.gov |date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref> and numbering has been inconsistent over time. For example, [[Thomas Menino]] was referred to as the 47th mayor at the time he was sworn in,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74162723/new-council-support-seen-for-roache-as/ |title=New council support seen for Roache as president |first=Anthony |last=Flint |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=27 |date=January 1, 1998 |accessdate=March 23, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> yet his successor, [[Marty Walsh]], was identified as the 54th.<ref name=ryan>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/01/06/is-walsh-mayor-54-or-48-or-58/ |title=Is Walsh mayor 54? Or 48? Or 58? |first=Andrew |last=Ryan |website=[[Boston.com]] |date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref> The Walsh administration cited [[Wikipedia]] for its use of 54.<ref name=ryan/>{{efn|This web page itself first applied numbers to the list of mayors in August 2007, without citing a specific source for the numbering. The numbering was removed in May 2025.}} That numbering scheme counted persons who served as ''elected'' mayors and counted those who served non-consecutive terms more than once (for example, [[James Michael Curley]] served four non-consecutive terms and was counted four times),<ref name=ryan/> however, for reasons that are unclear, [[Leonard R. Cutter]], who served as ''acting'' mayor in late 1873, was also included in the count. [[Kim Janey]], who became acting mayor in March 2021, referred to herself as the 55th mayor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/03/27/what-number-mayor-is-kim-janey-actually/ |title=Analysis: What number mayor is Kim Janey, actually? |first=Sean Philip |last=Cotter |website=[[Boston Herald]] |date=March 27, 2021 |accessdate=March 27, 2021}}</ref> {{clear}}
=={{visible anchor|List}} of mayors== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! rowspan=2 colspan=2 |Mayor ! colspan=2 |Term ! colspan=2 |In office ! rowspan=2 class=unsortable | ! rowspan=2 style="border-left-style:hidden;padding:0.1em 0em"|Party |- ! <small>Start</small> ! <small>End</small> ! <small>Terms won</small> ! <small>Duration</small> |- | data-sort-value=Philips, John| [[File:John Phillips by William Hoogland 5210004 015 001 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] |{{sortname|John|Phillips|dab=mayor}} | May 1, 1822 | May 1, 1823 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Federalist Party}}| | [[Federalist Party|Federalist]] |- | data-sort-value= Quincy, Josiah III|[[File:Josiah Quincy 5210004 015 002 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Josiah|Quincy III}} | May 1, 1823 | January 5, 1829 | align=center| 6 | align=center| {{sort|05y08m|5 years, 8 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Federalist Party}}| | [[Federalist Party|Federalist]] |- | data-sort-value= Otis, Harrison G.|[[File:Harrison Gray Otis by Chester Harding, 1833, oil on canvas, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-7700056A 2 (1).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Harrison G.|Otis|Harrison Gray Otis (politician)}} | January 5, 1829 | January 2, 1832 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Federalist Party}}| | [[Federalist Party|Federalist]] |- | data-sort-value= Wells, Josiah III|[[File:Charles Wells 5210004 015 004 (1).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Charles|Wells|dab=American politician}} | January 2, 1832 | January 6, 1834 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value= Lyman, Theodore|[[File:Theodore Lyman, Jr. 5210004 015 005 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Theodore|Lyman|dab=militiaman}} | January 6, 1834 | January 4, 1836 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Armstrong, Samuel T.|[[File:Samuel T. Armstrong 5210004 015 006 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Samuel T.|Armstrong|Samuel Turell Armstrong}} | January 4, 1836 | January 1, 1837 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Eliot, Samuel A.|[[File:Samuel A. Eliot 5210004 015 007 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Samuel A.|Eliot|Samuel Atkins Eliot (politician)}} | January 1, 1837 | January 6, 1840 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Chapman, Jonathan|[[File:Jonathan Chapman 5210004 015 008 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Jonathan|Chapman}} | January 6, 1840 | January 2, 1843 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Brimmer, Martin|[[File:Martin Brimmer 5210004 015 009 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Martin|Brimmer}} | January 2, 1843 | January 6, 1845 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Parker, William|[[File:3x4.svg|95px]] | {{sortname|William|Parker|dab=Boston}} {{double dagger}} | January 6, 1845 | February 27, 1845 | align=center| {{sort|0|—}} | align=center| {{sort|00y02m|2 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Davis, Thomas Aspinwall|[[File:Thomas A . Davis 1 5210004 015 010 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Thomas Aspinwall|Davis|Thomas Aspinwall Davis}} {{dagger}} | February 27, 1845 | November 22, 1845 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|00y09m|9 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Know Nothing}}| | [[Know Nothing|Native American]]{{ref|KN|KN}} |- | data-sort-value=Leavitt, Benson|[[File:3x4.svg|95px]] | {{sortname|Benson|Leavitt}} {{double dagger}} | November 22, 1845 | December 11, 1845 | align=center| {{sort|0|—}} | align=center| {{sort|00y01m|1 month}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Quincy, Josiah IV.|[[File:Josiah Quincy 5210004 015 011 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Josiah|Quincy IV.}} | December 11, 1845 | January 1, 1849 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y01m|3 years, 1 month}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Bigelow, John P.|[[File:John P. Bigelow 5210004 015 012 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|John P.|Bigelow}} | January 1, 1849 | January 5, 1852 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Seaver, Benjamin|[[File:Benjamin Seaver 5210004 015 013 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Benjamin|Seaver}} | January 5, 1852 | January 2, 1854 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}| | [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]] |- | data-sort-value=Smith, Jerome V. C.|[[File:Jerome V. C. Smith by E. Billings 5210004 015 014 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Jerome V. C.|Smith}} | January 2, 1854 | January 7, 1856 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Know Nothing}}| | [[Know Nothing|American]]{{ref|KN|KN}} |- | data-sort-value=Rice, Alexander H.|[[File:Alexander H. Rice 5210004 015 015 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Alexander H.|Rice}} | January 7, 1856 | January 4, 1858 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Independent}}| | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | data-sort-value=Lincoln, Frederic W. Jr.|[[File:Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. 5210004 015 016 (3x4b).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Frederic W.|Lincoln Jr.}} | January 4, 1858 | January 7, 1861 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Wightman, Joseph|[[File:Joseph Wightman 5210004 015 017 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Joseph|Wightman}} | January 7, 1861 | January 5, 1863 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Lincoln, Frederic W. Jr.|[[File:Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. 5210004 015 016 (3x4b).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Frederic W.|Lincoln Jr.}} | January 5, 1863 | January 7, 1867 | align=center| 4 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Norcross, Otis|[[File:Otis Norcross 5210004 015 018 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Otis|Norcross}} | January 7, 1867 | January 6, 1868 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Shurtleff, Nathaniel B.|[[File:Nathaniel B. Shurtleff 5210004 015 019 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Nathaniel B.|Shurtleff}} | January 6, 1868 | January 2, 1871 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Gaston, William|[[File:William Gaston 5210004 015 020 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|William|Gaston|dab=Massachusetts politician}} | January 2, 1871 | January 6, 1873 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Pierce, Henry L. |[[File:Henry L. Pierce - Brady-Handy.jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Henry L.|Pierce}} | January 6, 1873 | November 29, 1873 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|00y11m|11 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Independent (politician)}}| | [[Independent politician|None]] |- | data-sort-value=Cutter, Leonard|[[File:Leonard R. Cutter 5210004 015 022 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Leonard R.|Cutter}} {{double dagger}} | November 29, 1873 | January 5, 1874 | align=center| {{sort|0|—}} | align=center| {{sort|00y01m|1 month}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Cobb, Samuel|[[File:Samuel C. Cobb 5210004 015 023 (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Samuel C.|Cobb}} | January 5, 1874 | January 1, 1877 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Independent (politician)}}| | [[Independent politician|None]] |- | data-sort-value=Prince, Frederick O.|[[File:Frederick O. Prince 5210004 015 024 (3x4b).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Frederick O.|Prince}} | January 1, 1877 | January 7, 1878 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Pierce, Henry L. |[[File:Henry L. Pierce - Brady-Handy.jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Henry L.|Pierce}} | January 7, 1878 | January 6, 1879 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Prince, Frederick O.|[[File:Frederick O. Prince 5210004 015 024 (3x4b).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Frederick O.|Prince}} | January 6, 1879 | January 2, 1882 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|03y00m|3 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Green, Samuel Abbott|[[File:Samuel A. Green 5210004 015 025 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Samuel A.|Green|Samuel Abbott Green}} | January 2, 1882 | January 1, 1883 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Palmer, Albert|[[File:Albert Palmer 5210004 015 026 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Albert|Palmer|dab=American politician}} | January 1, 1883 | January 7, 1884 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Martin, Augustus Pearl|[[File:Augustus P. Martin 5210004 015 027 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Augustus Pearl|Martin|Augustus Pearl Martin}} | January 7, 1884 | January 5, 1885 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=O'Brien, Hugh|[[File:Hugh O'Brien 5210004 015 028 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Hugh|O'Brien}} | January 5, 1885 | January 7, 1889 | align=center| 4 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Hart, Thomas N.|[[File:Thomas Norton Hart (a).png|95px]] | {{sortname|Thomas N.|Hart}} | January 7, 1889 | December 31, 1890 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Matthews, Nattan Jr. |[[File:Nathan Matthews Jr. 5210004 015 030 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Nathan|Matthews Jr.}} | January 1, 1891 | January 7, 1895 | align=center| 4 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Curtis, Edwin Upton|[[File:Edwin Upton Curtis (1861–1922) (3x4a).png|95px]] | {{sortname|Edwin Upton|Curtis}} | January 7, 1895 | January 6, 1896 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |-class=sortbottom | colspan=8|{{center|''Mayoral term increased to two years.''}}<!-- Banner info --> |- | data-sort-value=Quincy, Josiah|[[File:Josiah Quincy 5210004 015 032 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Josiah|Quincy|dab=1859–1919}} | January 6, 1896 | January 1, 1900 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Hart, Thomas N.|[[File:Thomas Norton Hart (a).png|95px]] | {{sortname|Thomas N.|Hart}} | January 1, 1900 | January 6, 1902 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value=Collins, Patrick|[[File:Mayor PA Collins (2).png|95px]] | {{sortname|Patrick|Collins|dab=mayor}} {{dagger}} | January 6, 1902 | September 13, 1905 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|03y09m|3 years, 9 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Whelton, Daniel A.|[[File:Daniel A. Whelton 5210004 015 034 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Daniel A.|Whelton}} {{double dagger}} | September 15, 1905 | January 1, 1906 | align=center| {{sort|0|—}} | align=center| {{sort|00y03m|3 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Fitzgerald, John F.|[[File:J.F. Fitzgerald LCCN2014714230 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|John F.|Fitzgerald}} | January 1, 1906 | January 6, 1908 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Hibbar, George A.|[[File:George A. Hibbard 5210004 015 035 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|George A.|Hibbard}} | January 6, 1908 | February 7, 1910 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|02y00m|2 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- class=sortbottom | colspan=8|{{center|''Mayoral term increased to four years.''}}<!-- Banner info --> |- | data-sort-value=Fitzgerald, John F.|[[File:J.F. Fitzgerald LCCN2014714230 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|John F.|Fitzgerald}} | February 7, 1910 | February 2, 1914 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Curley, James Michael| [[File:CURLEY, JAMES MICHAEL. REP. FROM MASSACHUSETTS, 1911-1914 LCCN2016865259 (3x4a).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|James Michael|Curley}} | February 2, 1914 | February 4, 1918 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Peters, Andrew J.|[[File:AndrewJamesPeters.jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Andrew J.|Peters|Andrew James Peters}} | February 4, 1918 | February 6, 1922 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Curley, James Michael| [[File:James Michael Curley in 1922 (2).png|95px]] | {{sortname|James Michael|Curley|James Michael Curley}} | February 6, 1922 | January 4, 1926 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Nichols, Malcolm|[[File:Malcolm E. Nichols portrait photograph, circa 1925 a (3x4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Malcolm|Nichols}} | January 4, 1926 | January 6, 1930 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | data-sort-value= Curly, James Michael |[[File:James Michael Curley (6082770554) 2.jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|James Michael|Curley|James Michael Curley}} | January 6, 1930 | January 1, 1934 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Mansfield, Frederick|[[File:Frederick William Mansfield (2).png|95px]] | {{sortname|Frederick|Mansfield}} | January 1, 1934 | January 3, 1938 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Tobin, Maurice J.|[[File:Maurice J. Tobin (3).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Maurice J.|Tobin}} | January 3, 1938 | January 4, 1945 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|07y00m|7 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value=Kerrigan, John E. |[[File:John E. Kerrigan official portrait photograph, circa 1939.jpeg|95px]] | {{sortname|John E.|Kerrigan}} {{double dagger}} | January 4, 1945 | January 7, 1946 | align=center| {{sort|0|—}} | align=center| {{sort|01y00m|1 year}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Curly, James Michael |[[File:James Michael Curley (6082770554) 2.jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|James Michael|Curley|James Michael Curley}} | January 7, 1946 | January 2, 1950 | align=center| 1 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Hynes, John B.|[[File:John B. Hynes (10926270034) (1).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|John B.|Hynes|John Hynes (politician)}} | January 2, 1950 | January 4, 1960 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|10y00m|10 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Collins, John F.|[[File:Mayor John F. Collins (13242881633) (4).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|John F.|Collins}} | January 4, 1960 | January 1, 1968 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|08y00m|8 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= White, Kevin|[[File:Boston Mayor Kevin H White (2).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Kevin|White|dab=politician}} | January 1, 1968 | January 2, 1984 | align=center| 4 | align=center| {{sort|16y00m|16 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Flynn, Raymond|[[File:Mayor Raymond L. Flynn (9501942333) (1).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Raymond|Flynn}} | January 2, 1984 | July 12, 1993 | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|09y06m|9 years, 6 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Menino, Thomas|[[File:Mayor Thomas M. Menino (15649592926) (2).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Thomas|Menino}} | July 12, 1993 | January 6, 2014 | align=center| 5 | align=center| {{sort|20y06m|20 years, 6 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Walsh, Marty|[[File:Secretary Marty Walsh official portrait (1a).jpg|125x125px]] | {{sortname|Marty|Walsh}} | January 6, 2014 | March 22, 2021 | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|07y02m|7 years, 2 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Janey, Kim|[[File:Kim Janey 52903219186 ea4bae1a12 o (1).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Kim|Janey}} {{double dagger}} | March 22, 2021 | November 16, 2021 | align=center| — | align=center| {{sort|00y08m|8 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | data-sort-value= Wu, Michelle|[[File:Michelle Wu 53455940403 bd5ebc2ca6 o (2).jpg|95px]] | {{sortname|Michelle|Wu}} | November 16, 2021 | [[Incumbent]] | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{age in years and months|2021|11|16}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |} {{dagger}} died in office<br> {{double dagger}} acting mayor only<br> {{note|KN|KN}} Native American Party and American Party were formal names of the "[[Know Nothing]]" movement.
===Mayors serving non-consecutive terms=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! rowspan=2 |Mayor ! rowspan=2 |Start of<br>first term ! rowspan=2 |End of<br>final term ! colspan=2 |In office ! rowspan=2 class=unsortable | ! rowspan=2 style="border-left-style:hidden;padding:0.1em 0em"|Party |- ! <small>Terms won</small> ! <small>Duration</small> |- | {{sortname|Frederic W.|Lincoln Jr.}} | ''January 4, 1858'' | ''January 7, 1867'' | align=center| 7 | align=center| {{sort|07y00m|7 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | {{sortname|Henry L.|Pierce}} | ''January 6, 1873'' | ''January 6, 1879'' | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|01y11m|1 year, 11 months}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | {{sortname|Frederick O.|Prince}} | ''January 1, 1877'' | ''January 2, 1882'' | align=center| 4 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | {{sortname|Thomas N.|Hart}} | ''January 7, 1889'' | ''January 7, 1902'' | align=center| 3 | align=center| {{sort|04y00m|4 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |- | {{sortname|John F.|Fitzgerald}} | ''January 5, 1906'' | ''February 2, 1914'' | align=center| 2 | align=center| {{sort|06y00m|6 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- | {{sortname|James Michael|Curley|James Michael Curley}} | ''February 2, 1914'' | ''January 2, 1950'' | align=center| 4 | align=center| {{sort|16y00m|16 years}} | bgcolor={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}| | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |}
===Acting mayors=== [[Image:ThomasMenino.jpg|thumb|170px|Thomas Menino, longest-serving mayor of Boston]]
Boston's city charter stipulates that the City Council president serves as acting mayor whenever the mayor is absent from the city, unable to serve, or the office is vacant. An acting mayor cannot make permanent appointments, and can only perform urgent tasks "not admitting of delay" (which is somewhat open to interpretation).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/01/22/boston-acting-mayor/ |title=What's actually the difference between being mayor and acting mayor? |first=Nik |last=DeCosta-Klipa |website=[[Boston.com]] |date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>
The following individuals served as acting mayor during a vacancy in the office.
{| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Name ! Explanation ! Ref. |- | 1845 | [[William Parker (Boston)|William Parker]] | Served as acting mayor during multiple deadlocked elections. | <ref name=bostonDOTgov/> |- | 1845 | [[Benson Leavitt]] | Served as acting mayor following the death of [[Thomas Aspinwall Davis|Thomas A. Davis]]. | <ref name=bostonDOTgov/> |- | 1853 | Benjamin L. Allen | Served as acting mayor during multiple deadlocked elections. | <ref name=bostonDOTgov/> |- | 1873 | [[Leonard R. Cutter]] | Served as acting mayor following [[Henry L. Pierce]]'s election to Congress.<br>Was not a candidate in the [[1873 Boston mayoral election]]. | <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18242397/resignation_of_the_mayor_of_boston/ |title=Resignation of the Mayor of Boston |newspaper=[[Brooklyn Eagle|The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |page=4 |date=November 25, 1873 |access-date=March 12, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727518 |title=Boston Mayor Race – Dec 09, 1873 |website=ourcampaigns.com |access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> |- | 1905 | [[Daniel A. Whelton]] | Served as acting mayor following the death of [[Patrick Collins (mayor)|Patrick Collins]].<br>Was not a candidate in the [[1905 Boston mayoral election]]. | <ref>{{cite news |title=Whelton is Acting Mayor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116537242/whelton-is-acting-mayor-part-1/ |date=September 15, 1905 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116537303/whelton-is-acting-mayor-part-2/ 8] |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=696356 |title=Boston Mayor Race – Dec 12, 1905 |website=ourcampaigns.com |access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> |- | 1945 | [[John E. Kerrigan]] | Served as acting mayor upon [[Maurice J. Tobin]] becoming [[Governor of Massachusetts]].<br>Subsequently lost the [[1945 Boston mayoral election]]. | <ref>{{cite news |title=Kerrigan First World War II Vet to Head City Government |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79395724/kerrigan-first-world-war-ii-vet-to-head/ |date=January 26, 1945 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116537611/kerrigan-first-world-war-ii-vet-to-head/ 8] |last=Doherty |first=Joseph |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=546199 |title=Boston Mayor Race – Nov 06, 1945 |website=ourcampaigns.com |access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> |- | 1947 | [[John Hynes (politician)|John B. Hynes]] | Served as acting mayor during the absence (incarceration) of [[James Michael Curley|James M. Curley]].<br>Subsequently won the [[1949 Boston mayoral election]]. | <ref name=bostonDOTgov/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=546198 |title=Boston Mayor Race – Nov 08, 1949 |website=ourcampaigns.com |access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> |- | 1993 | [[Thomas Menino]] | Served as acting mayor upon [[Raymond Flynn]] becoming [[United States Ambassador to the Holy See|Ambassador to the Holy See]].<br>Subsequently won the [[1993 Boston mayoral election]]. | <ref>{{cite web |title=Menino, 'a neighborhood guy,' now at center stage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79394095/menino-a-neighborhood-guy-now-at/ |first=Brian |last=McGrory |page=12 |date=July 13, 1993 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=2023-01-15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=176291 |title=Boston Mayor Race – Nov 02, 1993 |website=ourcampaigns.com |access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2021 | [[Kim Janey]] | Served as acting mayor upon [[Marty Walsh]] becoming [[United States Secretary of Labor]].<br>Eliminated in preliminary stage of the [[2021 Boston mayoral election]]. | <ref name=JaneyIn>{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/03/22/kim-janey-become-bostons-acting-mayor/ |title=Kim Janey becomes Boston's acting mayor, makes history as first Black person, woman to hold the office |first=Christopher |last=Gavin |website=[[Boston Herald]] |date=March 22, 2021 |access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.gov/departments/elections/unofficial-election-results |title=Unofficial Election Results |website=Boston.gov |date=October 3, 2016 |accessdate=September 15, 2021}}</ref> |}
==See also== * [[Timeline of Boston]] * [[List of elections in Massachusetts]] * [[List of members of the Boston City Council]] * [[List of mayors of Roxbury, Massachusetts]] * [[List of mayors of Charlestown, Massachusetts]] * [[List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States]]
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==Sources== * {{cite book|last1=Allison|first1=Robert|last2=Bulger|first2=William|title=James Michael Curley|publisher=Applewood Books|year=2011|isbn=9781933212753}} * {{cite book|last=O'Neill|first=Gerard|title=Rogues and Redeemers|publisher=Crown Publisher|location=New York|year=2012|isbn=9780307405364}}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book |title=Mayors of Boston: Illustrated Epitome of Who the Mayors Have Been and What They Have Done |author=State Street Trust Company |publisher=Walter Advertising and Printing |location=[[Boston]] |date=1914 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5oWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP1 |via=[[Google Books]]}} *{{cite web | url = https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2021/02/mayors-of-boston/ | title = Mayors of Boston | date = February 22, 2021 | last= Child | first = Christopher C. |website= americanancestors.org | publisher = New England Historic Genealogical Society }}
==External links== {{commons category|Mayors of Boston}} * [http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/MA/ofc/boston.html Lists of Mayors of Boston at The Political Graveyard]
{{BostonMA|state=expanded}} {{BostonMayors}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Mayors Of Boston}} [[Category:Mayors of Boston| ]] [[Category:1822 establishments in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Boston-related lists|Mayors of Boston]] [[Category:Government of Boston]] [[Category:Lists of mayors of places in Massachusetts|Boston]]