George R. Lunn

George Richard Lunn (1873-1948) was an American clergyman and politician from New York. He was the first Socialist mayor in the State of New York, and was a U.S. Representative from 1917 to 1919.

Biography

Early years

George R. Lunn was born June 23, 1873 near Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa.

Lunn fought in the Spanish-American War in 1898. He was elected Commander-in-Chief of the United Spanish War Veterans in 1931-32.

Political career

Lunn was Mayor of Schenectady, New York from 1912 to 1913 and from 1916 to 1917, elected on the Socialist ticket, and from 1920 to 1922, elected as a Democrat. Lunn was elected as a Democrat to the 65th United States Congress, and served from March 4, 1917, to March 3, 1919. In 1920, he was defeated by Harry C. Walker in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senator from New York.

Lunn was Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1923 to 1924, elected on the Democratic ticket with Governor Al Smith in 1922, but defeated for re-election in 1924. Lunn owned the land upon which Lath maintained his famous ice house in the leading collateral agreement case, Mitchell v. Lath (Ct. of App. of N.Y, 247 N.Y. 377). The facts of the case are mentioned in the official comments to the Principles of European Contract Law.

Death and legacy

Lunn died November 27, 1948 in Schenectady, New York.

Additional sources

• George R. Lunn at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Gurnett, Kate. 'The rise of socialism in Schenectady. Albany Times Union. Monday, June 12, 2006.

Works

• "Testimony to the Special Investigative Committee of the New York State Assembly, Jan. 28, 1920." Corvallis, OR: 1000 Flowers Publishing, 2012.

Further reading

• Kenneth E. Hendrickson Jr., Tribune of the People: George R. Lunn and the Rise and Fall of Christian Socialism in Schenectady, in Bruce M. Stave (ed.), Socialism and the Cities, Port Washington: Kennikat Press. 1975.
• — "George R. Lunn and the Socialist Era in Schenectady, New York, 1909-1916," New York History, January 1966.
• George R. Lunn Gardner, The Schenectadians: The Story of Schenectady's 20th Century and Two Men Who Helped Shape It. Writer's Club Press, 2001.

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by William B. Charles	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 30th congressional district 1917–1919	Succeeded by Frank Crowther
Political offices
Preceded by Clayton R. Lusk Acting Lieutenant Governor	Lieutenant Governor of New York 1923–1924	Succeeded by Seymour Lowman