Florence ES Knapp

Florence ES Knapp

Florence Elizabeth Knapp (born around 1875 in Syracuse , New York , † October 26, 1949 in Marcy , New York; née Smith ) was an American politician ( Republican Party ). She was the first woman to hold a state office in New York.

Career

Florence Elizabeth Smith was descended from Ebenezer Hancock, Harvard University librarian and brother of John Hancock . Nothing is known about her youth. At some point she married Philip Schuyler Knapp († 1913). In 1920 she received an honorary Bachelor of Science degree in education from Syracuse University . She took part in 1920 as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in Chicago ( Illinois ) and in 1924 as a substitute delegate (Alternate Delagate) at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland ( Ohio ).

Smith was elected Secretary of State of New York in 1924 - a post she held from 1925 to 1927. After her term ended, she was charged with embezzlement . As a result, she resigned from her post as dean of the College of Home Economics at Syracuse University. In June 1928 she was convicted of aggravated theft while in office. During the New York Census of 1925, the following was found: Smith put her stepdaughter's name on the payroll, then took the paychecks himself, forged the endorsements and spent the money on clothes.

She was the last Secretary of State of New York to be elected. After the reorganization of the administration during the reign of New York Governor Alfred E. Smith , one was appointed to the office from then on, which has remained so to this day. It was 50 years before the next woman was elected to political office in a state election in New York. It was Mary Anne Krupsak , who was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York.

Smith died in Marcy State Hospital in Marcy, New York , in 1949 and was then buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York.

literature

• Republicans Slate Only Two Women , The New York Times, March 8, 1920
• Dead, The New York Times, October 27, 1949

Web links

• Women: Mrs. Feasance , The Time Magazine, Feb. 6, 1928
• National Affairs: Honest Grafter , The Time Magazine, June 4, 1928
• Florence ES Knapp on The Political Graveyard website