13 Facts About Richardson Dilworth

Richardson K Dilworth was an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 91st mayor of Philadelphia from 1956 to 1962.

Richardson Dilworth twice ran as the Democratic nominee for governor of Pennsylvania, in 1950 and in 1962.

Richardson Dilworth was born in Pittsburgh to Joseph Richardson Dilworth and Annie Hunter Dilworth.

Richardson Dilworth enlisted in the Marine Corps in World War I and was commissioned as an officer in World War II.

Richardson Dilworth was married to the former Elizabeth Brockie from 1922 to 1935, and they had four children.

Richardson Dilworth had grown up as a Republican, but became a Democrat out of frustration with the city's longstanding Republican machine.

Richardson Dilworth initially ran for mayor in 1947 against incumbent Republican Barney Samuel.

In 1949, Richardson Dilworth was elected city treasurer, while Clark was elected city controller.

Clark and Richardson Dilworth's inaugurations ended a 67-year period of uninterrupted Republican control of the city.

Richardson Dilworth resigned as mayor on February 12,1962, to launch a second bid for governor.

In 1960 and 1961, Richardson Dilworth served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors.

Richardson Dilworth served as president of the Philadelphia School Board, and in 1971 was appointed one of two bankruptcy trustees for the Reading Company, a railroad company headquartered in Philadelphia.

Richardson Dilworth died from a brain tumor at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia on January 23,1974, at the age of 75.