Whitney, William Collins definition of Whitney, William Collins in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Whitney, William Collins, 1841–1904, American financier and political leader, b. Conway, Mass. After attending (1863–64) Harvard law school, he moved to New York City, became successful as a corporation lawyer, and was associated with various public utility companies and transportation interests. He helped lead the fight that brought about the downfall of William Marcy Tweed Tweed Ring, consisting of Tweed and his henchmen—Peter Sweeny, city chamberlain; Richard B. Connolly, city comptroller; and A. Oakey Hall, mayor—controlled the city without interference.
..... Click the link for more information. and the election (1874) of Samuel J. Tilden Tilden, Samuel Jones, 1814–86, American political figure, Democratic presidential candidate in 1876, b. New Lebanon, N.Y. Admitted to the bar in 1841, Tilden was an eminently successful lawyer, with many railroad companies as clients.
..... Click the link for more information. as governor. As city corporation counsel (1875–82) he helped save New York City much money. Whitney, important in Democratic politics, served (1885–89) as Secretary of the Navy under President Cleveland and secured legislation for the making of armor-plated war vessels. In 1892 he supported Cleveland for the presidency, but in 1896 he refused to support the candidacy of William Jennings Bryan. He was a society leader and an outstanding sportsman.

Bibliography

See biography by M. D. Hirsch (1948, repr. 1969).

Whitney, William Collins (1841–1904) lawyer, politician; born in Conway, Mass. He practiced law in New York City and reorganized the city's corporation counsel's office. As secretary of the navy (1885–89) he fought against outmoded concepts of ship design and supported the aims of the Naval War College.