Background
William Irwin was born in Pittsburgh in 1803, and as a boy earned the lifelong nickname "pony Irwin" because of his habit of riding a pony everywhere he went.
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William Wallace
Edit ProfileDiplomat mayor politician representative
Education
He graduated from the Western University of Pennsylvania, now known as the University of Pittsburgh, in 1824.
Career
He was also a graduate of Allegheny College. He ran successfully for Allegheny County District Attorney in 1838. Upon being elected mayor in 1840 Irwin oversaw the expansion of infrastructure and government in the city to catch up with the regions rapid expansion.
Under his administration four additional wards were added to the city.
Irwin used his term as mayor as a touchstone for his race as a representative for United States. Congress. He was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress.
He was not a candidate for reelection in 1842. After his term in Congress, Irwin was United States Ambassador to Denmark 1843-1847.
He died in Pittsburgh in 1856.
Interment in Allegheny Cemetery.
Membership
He became a member of the Allegheny County bar on May 6, 1828, and by 1835 was serving as the president of the Western University"s alumni association.
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Born
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Died
September 15, 1856 (aged 53) -
Nationality
United States