Frederick T. McDermott explained

Frederick T. McDermott
Birth Date:November 20, 1906
Birth Place:Somerville, Massachusetts
Party:Democratic
Member of the Massachusetts Senate for the 6th Middlesex District
Term Start:1955
Term End:1959
Predecessor:Robert P. Campbell
Successor:C. Eugene Farnam
Title2:Mayor of Medford, Massachusetts
Term Start2:1950
Term End2:1951
Predecessor2:Walter E. Lawrence
Successor2:John C. Carr Jr.

Frederick T. McDermott (born November 20, 1906) is an American politician from Medford, Massachusetts.

Early life

McDermott was born on November 20, 1906, in Somerville, Massachusetts.[1] He was raised in Medford and graduated from Medford High School in 1925.[2]

Political career

McDermott was elected to the Medford school committee in 1931 and served for eight years. From 1935 to 1936 he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He was the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives seat in Massachusetts's 8th congressional district in 1942 and 1944, but lost to Angier Goodwin both times. He served on the Medford Board of Alderman and was elected to the city council when Medford's form of government change in 1949. As part of the change, the office of mayor change to a ceremonial position elected by the city council and McDermott's fellow councilors chose him to serve as the first mayor under the new setup.[3] From 1955 to 1959, McDermott represented the 6th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts Senate. After leaving the Senate, McDermott was the assistant to the Massachusetts Registrar of Motor Vehicles.[4] In 1961, he lost reelection to the Medford city council after controversially voting to appoint John C. Carr as city manager.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: 1957-1958 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . 1962 . 68 . 1 January 2024.
  2. News: Medford High School Has Fifty-Four Honor Graduates . The Boston Globe . June 12, 1925.
  3. News: McDermott Named Mayor-Designate Under Medford's New Plan E Setup . The Boston Globe . December 2, 1949.
  4. News: 'Freeze In' Jobs Measure Likely To Stay Frozen . The Boston Globe . March 28, 1959.
  5. News: 17 in Medford Sue To Quash Contract For Trash Burning . The Boston Globe . December 6, 1961.
  6. News: Lewis . William . Civic Assn. Vows To Oust Mayor Carr, Dad . The Boston Globe . September 15, 1961.