Who was Murray H. Hall?

Murray H. Hall (1841-1901) was a New York City bail bondsman and Tammany Hall politician who became famous on his death in 1901, when it was revealed that he was assigned female at birth.

Most people have a clear stereotype of the urban political boss of the early 20th century, and in many ways Murray Hall, a leader of New York City’s notorious “Tammany Hall,” was its embodiment.

He was a member of the General Committee of Tammany Hall, a member of the Iroquois Club, a personal friend of State Senator “Barney” Martin and other officials, and one of the most active Tammany workers in the district.

He registered and voted at primaries and general elections for many years, and exercised considerable political influence, often securing appointments for friends who had no idea of her secret.

He played poker at the clubs with city and State officials and politicians who flatter themselves on their cleverness and perspicacity, played poker, drank whisky and wine and smoked the regulation “big black cigar” with the apparent relish and gusto of the real man-about-town.

Born in Govan, Scotland as Mary Anderson, Hall reportedly migrated to America after being reported to the police by his first wife and lived as a man for nearly 25 years, able to vote and to work as a politician at a time when women were denied such rights. At the time of the death, Hall resided with his second wife and their adopted daughter.