NASSAU BLAIR BROWNE RHA (1867-1940)
Richard 'Boss' Croker's Racehorses at Glencairn, Dublin - 'Orby', 'Rhoda B', 'Clonbern', 'Rhododendron', 'Alabama', 'Rhodora' and 'Battler'
Oil on canvas,...

NASSAU BLAIR BROWNE RHA (1867-1940)
Richard 'Boss' Croker's Racehorses at Glencairn, Dublin - 'Orby', 'Rhoda B', 'Clonbern', 'Rhododendron', 'Alabama', 'Rhodora' and 'Battler'
Oil on canvas, 101 x 168cm
Signed and inscribed with horse's names below

Richard Welstead Croker Sr. (18431922), known as Boss Croker, was an Irish-American politician who was a leader of New York Citys Tammany Hall and a politican. He was born outside Clonakilty in west Cork in1843, son of Eyre Coote Croker and Frances Laura Welsted. The family emigrated to the United States in 1845. Upon arrival there, his father was without a profession, but with a general knowledge of horses he soon became a veterinary surgeon.

Richard was educated in New York public schools and as a twenty year old joined one of the Volunteer Fire Departments, becom- ing an engineer of one of the engine companies. This provided him with a gateway into public life, eventually becoming a member of Tammany Hall, a Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City and New York
State politics and helping immigrants, most notably the Irish, rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s.

During his political career he was an alderman, Coroner of New York County, New York City Fire Commissioner and city Chamber- lain.

Crokers greatest political success was his bringing about the 1897 election of Robert A. Van Wyck as first mayor of the five-bor- ough greater New York. But after Crokers failure to carry the city in the presidential election of 1900 he resigned from his posi- tion of leadership in Tammany and departed the United States for his homeland in 1905.
A very wealthy man, Croker purchased the Glencairn estate in Sandyford, near Dublin from the Gresson family and it is against the backdrop of the house there that many of his prize-winning thoroughbred racehorses are depicted in the present painting by Nassau Blair Brown. In 1907, his horse Orby won Britains most prestigious race, The Derby. Croker was also the breeder of Orbys son Grand Parade who won the Derby in 1919. Croker died in 1922 and is buried at Glencairn. Crokers funeral drew some of Dub- lins most eminent citizens, The Times (of London) describing it as follows:

FUNERAL OF MR. CROKER: - The funeral of Mr. Richard Croker took place yesterday [May 5, 1922], when the body was buried in the grounds of Glencairn House, Mr. Crokers residence in South County, Dublin. After a Requiem Mass in the private oratory, the burial service was conducted by the Right Rev. Dr. W.J. Miller. The pall-bearers were Mr. Arthur Griffith, President of Da•üil E•üireann, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. A.H. Flauley, of Chicago, Mr. Oliver Gogarty, Alderman Macdonagh, and Mr. J.E. Tierney. Mr. Michael Collins, Chairman of the Provisional Government, was represented by Mr. Kevin OShiel. Mr. James MacMahon, British Under-Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, was also in attendance.

 

View more View less