Welcome James J. Walker

Black and white photograph of a man in a suit in the center with black text above and below on a white background

James John Walker (1881-1946), the son of Irish immigrants, served as Mayor of New York City from 1925-1932. Walker was well-known for his flamboyant style and love of the Broadway theatre and speakeasies. During his second administration the New York Legislature levied 15 charges against Walker stemming from an investigation which uncovered instances of extensive corruption. As a result of the scandal, Walker resigned in 1932 and left the country with Betty Compton, the Ziegfeld Girl he was seeing at the time. They toured Europe for several years and married. When he was confident the scandal had subsided, Walker returned to the U.S. and later became president of The Majestic Records Company.