The Election of Mayor Richardson Dilworth Philadelphia in the 1940s had fallen on hard times. The city was in disrepair after decades of being controlled by political machines. The port was filled with mud and filth, the airport had no seats and public housing was tightly controlled by ward leaders. Cue Richardson Dilworth entering stage left and forever changing the physical and political landscape of Philadelphia. In 1947, he was busy exposing the city’s corruption in a big way. And corrupt it was – soon, a theft of $40 million would be exposed, leading to the suicide of five city officials. With the fall of the GOP at hand, Richardson Dilworth was there to usher in something of a Democratic Renaissance in Philadelphia, signaled by the Democratic Party’s sweep of the 1949 elections. Richardson Dilworth was inaugurated as mayor of Philadelphia in 1956 and left in 1962. While in office, he championed reform and denounced municipal corruption. His legacy includes expanding the airport, cleaning up the port, establishing Independence Hall, renewing the Society Hill area, developing SEPTA and much more. Examine Dilworth’s term in office for a turning point in Philadelphia history at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Recommended Collections: Inaugural Address: Richardson Dilworth, Mayor of Philadelphia: Tuesday, January 3, 1956, the Academy of Music (Phila., 1956) (Wz* 999 v.2) Richardson Dilworth papers, collection 3112. Box 173: 1955 Mayoral Campaign. UPA/Pam F 158.52 K49 1962. Greater Philadelphia Movement, Keys to Philadelphia’s Future (Phila., 1962) Vb* 91982 1961-1970. Democratic Party literature Joseph Sill Clark papers (Coll. 1958): Clark was mayor from 1951-1956: Boxes 47, the first folder, and Box 48, first two folders, contain speeches and other documents on the program of the reformers. Am .3997 In Praise of Politicians y James Hugh Joseph Tate Gd .4345 R74Newspaper obituaries of Richardson Dilworth, compiled by Anthony A. Roth. Albert M. Greenfield papers (1918-1969) Collection# 1959 Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, April 2012 Other Sources of Information: City Archives – Mayor's Correspondence and Files – Administration of Richardson Dilworth, 1956-1962 – 3101 Market Street, Philadelphia www.phila.gov Haverford College Library Special Collections – James Phineas Magill papers, 1911-1974 – 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA http://www.haverford.edu/library/special/ .