Whitney, William C

Whitney, William C(ollins)

(born July 5, 1841, Conway, Mass., U.S.—died Feb. 2, 1904, New York, N.Y.) U.S. politician. He practiced law in New York City, where he helped Samuel Tilden overthrow the corrupt political boss William Magear Tweed; he also served as corporation counsel for the city (1875–82). As U.S. secretary of the navy (1885–89), he rebuilt the neglected fleet with a major shipbuilding program that included the battleship Maine (see destruction of the Maine). He returned to New York, where he became co-owner of the city's first rapid-transit system.