Corcoran, Thomas (“Tommy”) Gardiner

(1900-1981)

   Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Thomas (“Tommy”) Corcoran went to Brown University and Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1926. Supported by Felix Frankfurter, he became clerk to Oliver Wendell Holmes for a year before practicing law on Wall Street. In 1932, Corcoran joined the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and remained there until 1940. Again through his links with Frankfurter, Corcoran became an unofficial member of the New Deal and assisted with drafting important legislation, including the act establishing the Tennessee Valley Authority and Fair Labor Standards Act. He also wrote several speeches for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was an active member of the election campaign team in 1940. However, when he failed to receive any public appointment, he left government to resume his private law practice. He remained an influential figure in Washington, D.C., and in 1941 was accused of “influence peddling.” Although never formally charged, such accusations continued for much of his career.