J. Raymond Jones

J. Raymond Jones (July 16, 1899 - June 9, 1991 New York) was an African American New York City politician.

Biography

He was born on July 16, 1895 in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies.

He moved to New York City in 1918. Known as "The Fox," Jones was leader of Harlem's Carver Democratic Club. He challenged Tammany Hall leader Carmine DeSapio twice, succeeding in 1964 in becoming Tammany's first black leader. In 1961 Jones supported the election of Robert F. Wagner Jr. as mayor of New York City, again in contrast to DeSapio. Jones served as mentor to many younger black politicians who later became prominent in New York politics. This group became known as the "Harlem Clubhouse". New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins said about Jones, "Without his counsel and guidance, Percy Sutton, Constance Baker Motley, Fritz Alexander, Charlie Rangel, Robert Weaver, and I might add, David N. Dinkins, would not have achieved as much. He was a true political pioneer and a deeply committed individual who dedicated his life to serving the people of New York."

He was living at the Greater Harlem Nursing Home. He died on June 9, 1991 at the North General Hospital in Manhattan. He was 91 years old.

Further reading

• John C. Walker,The Harlem Fox: J. Raymond Jones at Tammany 1920:1970, New York: State University New York Press, 1989.
• David N. Dinkins, A Mayor's Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, PublicAffairs Books, 2013

Preceded by Herbert Evans	New York City Council, 21st District 1963–1965	Succeeded by Daniel Diggs
Preceded by Matthew Troy	New York City Council, 5th District 1966–1969	Succeeded by Charles Taylor