U.S. Congressman. Noted as "The Father of American Zoning", he was one of the founding fathers of modern urban planning, wrote the first comprehensive zoning ordinance in the United States, which was adopted by New York City, in 1916. After graduating from Amherst College Massachusetts in 1884, from Columbia Law School New York City, in 1886, he was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Buffalo, New York. He moved to New York City in 1892, continued the practice of law and was a member of the Brooklyn School Board, (1899-1903). In 1903, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-eighth Congress, serving until 1905. Declining to be a candidate for re-nomination, he resumed the practice of law and was a member of the New York Public Service Commission, (1907-11). He also was chairman of the Heights of Buildings Commission, (1913-15) and chairman of the Zoning Commission, (1916-17). In 1922, he was appointed by Secretary Hoover, as a member of the Department of Commerce, Advisory Committee on Zoning and was the writer on bankruptcy, eminent domain and police power.
U.S. Congressman. Noted as "The Father of American Zoning", he was one of the founding fathers of modern urban planning, wrote the first comprehensive zoning ordinance in the United States, which was adopted by New York City, in 1916. After graduating from Amherst College Massachusetts in 1884, from Columbia Law School New York City, in 1886, he was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Buffalo, New York. He moved to New York City in 1892, continued the practice of law and was a member of the Brooklyn School Board, (1899-1903). In 1903, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-eighth Congress, serving until 1905. Declining to be a candidate for re-nomination, he resumed the practice of law and was a member of the New York Public Service Commission, (1907-11). He also was chairman of the Heights of Buildings Commission, (1913-15) and chairman of the Zoning Commission, (1916-17). In 1922, he was appointed by Secretary Hoover, as a member of the Department of Commerce, Advisory Committee on Zoning and was the writer on bankruptcy, eminent domain and police power.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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