Guide to the Peter F. Flaherty Papers, 1964-1995 AIS.1999.19

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Peter F. Flaherty Papers
Creator
Flaherty, Peter F.
Collection Number
AIS.1999.19
Extent
1 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date
1964-1995
Abstract
The collection documents the career of Peter F. Flaherty, a Pennsylvanian politician who was notable as mayor of Pittsburgh from 1970 to 1977, United States Deputy Attorney General from 1977 to 1978, and County Commissioner of Allegheny County from 1984 to 1996. The collection mainly focuses on material from his terms as mayor and material from his unsuccessful bid for Pennsylvania governor in 1978. The papers include awards and honors presented to Flaherty, campaign materials and voter information, correspondence, newspaper clippings, invitations, and a scrapbook.
Language
English .
Author
Ashley L. Taylor
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Biography

Peter (Pete) F. Flaherty was born on June 25, 1924 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the son of Irish immigrants. He graduated from Allegheny High School and then entered the Army Air Corps in the midst of World War II. After serving as a navigator in the Pacific through the end of the war, Flaherty returned home and attended school first at Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) and then Notre Dame Law School, graduating with his J.D. in 1951. Flaherty returned to Pittsburgh to practice law, securing a place as Assistant District Attorney of Allegheny County from 1957 to 1964. During this time, he became interested in politics, and was elected to be a City of Pittsburgh Councilman in 1966.

Flaherty, critical of incumbent mayor Joseph Barr, ran for mayor in 1969 under the slogan "Nobody's Boy," a reflection of the estrangement he felt from the Democratic Party organization as a whole. Popularly lauded for his independence, charisma, and drive, Flaherty won with more than a 4 to 1 margin. During his first term, his work focused on trimming the city payroll and encouraging fiscal responsibility. Flaherty gained a reputation as being anti-big business, as illustrated by his protracted battle to stop the Port Authority from implementing the expensive Skybus program, and also came into conflict with the local Teamster Union. However, Flaherty remained popular and won a second term in 1973.

After his second term as Pittsburgh mayor, Flaherty tried to translate his local success to the 1974 U. S. Senate race, in which he was defeated. He was appointed Deputy Attorney General of the United States in 1977 under the Jimmy Carter administration. He stayed only a year in Washington, and returned to Pennsylvania to run for governor in the 1978 election, which he lost to Dick Thornburgh. In 1980, he lost a second bid for the U.S. Senate to Arlen Specter. In 1983, he returned from privately practicing law to run in the race for Allegheny County Commissioner, which he won. He served in that position until his retirement in 1996, where he counted among his successes the initiation of several building projects including new terminals at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Flaherty continued to reside in Pittsburgh until his death from cancer in 2005.

Scope and Contents Note

The Peter F. Flaherty Papers focus on Flaherty's political career, mainly on his two terms as mayor of Pittsburgh and his unsuccessful bid for Pennsylvania governor in 1978. The collection contains a variety of material including honors and awards presented to Flaherty; biographical and autobiographical information; campaign materials for both mayoral and gubernatorial races; a contributors' list for the 1983 County Commissioner campaign; correspondence and public statements; newspaper clippings; a scrapbook from his 1969 campaign for mayor; a Survey of Voter Attitudes for the 1980 U.S. Senate bid; and a collection of invitations to White House events. The focus of the collection is on his campaigns, primarily towards the beginning of his political career.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Previous Citation

Peter F. Flaherty Papers, 1964-1995, AIS.1999.19, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Peter F. Flaherty Papers, 1964-1995, AIS.1999.19, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Peter F. Flaherty in March 2000.

Related Material

Dick Thornburgh Papers, 1932- , AIS.1998.30, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • United States. Congress. Senate -- Elections, 1980
    • Pennsylvania. Governor -- Elections, 1978
    • United States. Office of the Deputy Attorney General
    • Allegheny County (Pa.). Board of Commissioners

    Personal Names

    • Flaherty, Peter F.

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)
    • Allegheny County (Pa.)
    • Pennsylvania
    • Washington (D.C.)

    Occupations

    • Lawyers

    Genres

    • Clippings (Information artifacts)
    • Correspondence
    • Scrapbooks

    Other Subjects

    • Political campaigns -- Pennsylvania
    • Politicians
    • County officials and employees –- Pennsylvania -– Allegheny County
    • Personal papers
    • Politicians -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
    • Mayors -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Politics
    • Campaign paraphernalia -- Pennsylvania

Container List

Awards and Honors, 1964-1995
Containers
box 1, folder 1

Language

English.

Awards and Honors, 1995
Containers
box 1, folder 2
Awards and Honors, 1995
Containers
box 1, folder 3
Biographical Information, 1972-1983, undated
Containers
box 1, folder 4
Campaign Materials, 1972-1978, undated
Containers
box 1, folder 5
Contributors' List for 1983 Campaign, 1983
Containers
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence and Statements, 1968-1993
Containers
box 1, folder 7
News Clippings, 1967-1972
Containers
box 1, folder 8
News Clippings, 1973-1975
Containers
box 1, folder 9
News Clippings, 1976-1978
Containers
box 1, folder 10
News Clippings, 1982-1994
Containers
box 1, folder 11
News Clippings, undated
Containers
box 1, folder 12
Scrapbook, 1969
Containers
box 1, folder 13
Survey of Voter Attitudes, 1980
Containers
box 1, folder 14
White House Invitations, 1979-1995
Containers
box 1, folder 15
Peter F. Flaherty Will and Family Information, 19647
Containers
box 1, folder 16