Florence E. S. Knapp
Florence E. S. Knapp | |
---|---|
![]() Florence E. S. Knapp in 1920 | |
48th Secretary of State of New York | |
In office January 1, 1925 – January 17, 1927 | |
Governor | Al Smith |
Preceded by | James A. Hamilton |
Succeeded by | Robert Moses |
Personal details | |
Born | Syracuse, New York | March 25, 1875
Died | October 27, 1949 Marcy, New York | (aged 74)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Philip Schuyler Knapp |
Florence Elizabeth Smith Knapp (March 25, 1875 – October 26, 1949) was an American politician who was the first woman elected to a state cabinet office in New York state.[1]
Biography
She was born on March 25, 1875, in Syracuse, New York, as Florence Elizabeth Smith. She was a descendant of Ebenezer Hancock, who was both the librarian of Harvard University and brother of John Hancock.[1]
She married Philip Schuyler Knapp (died 1913).
In 1920, Syracuse University awarded Florence an honorary degree of Bachelor of Science in education. She was a delegate to the 1920 Republican National Convention and an alternate delegate to the 1924 Republican National Convention.
She was the
Knapp died on October 26, 1949, at the Marcy State Hospital in Marcy, New York.[1]
Legacy
She was New York’s last elected secretary of state. The role became an appointed position after a reorganization of state administration under Governor Al Smith.
Knapp remained the only woman elected to a statewide office in New York for fifty years, until the election of
References
- ^ a b c "Florence Knapp Held High Office. New York Secretary of State, 1925-26, Dies at 74. Once a Dean at Syracuse University". The New York Times. October 27, 1949.
- OCLC 1109803877. Archived from the originalon 20 January 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Staff (September 13, 1974). "Woman was Elected to State Office in '24". The New York Times. p. 24. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
Further reading
- "Women: Mrs. Feasance". Time. February 6, 1928.
- "Knapp, Florence Elizabeth Smith (1875-1949)". The Political Graveyard.
- "National Affairs: Honest Grafter". Time. June 4, 1928.
- "Awards and Honors: Recipient of Honorary Degrees". Syracuse University.
- "Republicans Slate Only Two Women". The New York Times. March 8, 1920.