Question: the political boss of new york city in the early 1870s was
Answer: William Magear Tweed ( April 3 , 1823 -- April 12 , 1878 ) -- often erroneously referred to as `` William Marcy Tweed '' ( see below ) , and widely known as `` Boss '' Tweed -- was an American politician most notable for being the `` boss '' of Tammany Hall , the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York City and State .