Poverty to Prominence: The Story of David I. Walsh

by Kevin J. McCarthy

Primary Advisor: Charles Shively
Second Reader: Judith Smith

Abstract:

The major sources of this project are Dorothy Wayman's book, David I. Walsh, Citizen-Patriot and the Walsh Papers, also the Walsh file at the Boston Globe. David I. Walsh was a public figure for forty years and numerous articles (newspapers, magazines, and radio broadcasts) are plentiful. His name appears many times in Massachusetts's history books, although very little up to date material is available.

The major conclusions are, David I. Walsh, was raised in poverty but went on to be a U.S. Senator, and Governor of Massachusetts for two terms. Not famous or well-known David I. Walsh overcame religious intolerance and racism to become the first Catholic Governor of Massachusetts. He was independent form machine politics. Walsh was one of the most outstanding Irish politicians of the twentieth century.