Helen Thomasina Sheehan collection of James T. Sheehan

Collection

Identifier: MS-2002-030

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1916-1988

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the personal and professional life of Boston Police Deputy Superintendent James T. Sheehan. It includes newspaper clippings, photographs, certificates, correspondence, and an unpublished biography of Sheehan written by his daughter Helen Thomasina Sheehan, S.N.D. Of special interest is a letter written to Sheehan by J. Edgar Hoover, who was then director of the FBI, congratulating him on his promotion to Inspector of Divisions in the Boston Police Department.

Creator

Sheehan, James T. (James Thomas), 1893-1954 (Person)

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical Note: James T. Sheehan

James T. Sheehan was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1893 to William Joseph Sheehan and Catherine Augusta Lyons. He married Mabel Donovan in 1918 and served in World War I. After returning from the war, Sheehan worked briefly as a fireman before he joined the Boston Police Department in 1920. Sheehan had a successful career in law enforcement and ultimately earned the rank of Deputy Superintendent. In 1947, he graduated from the FBI National Academy. Sheehan and his wife had five children: William, Paul, Francis, Helen, and Margaret. Sheehan died in 1954.

Sources

"Deaths and Funerals: James T. Sheehan, 60, Former Deputy Superintendent of Police." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), March 25, 1954.

Sheehan, Helen Thomasina. "Boston's Untouchable Cop: James T. Sheehan, 1893-1954." Box 1, Folder 1, Helen Thomasina Sheehan collection of James T. Sheehan, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 container )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Provenance

Transferred by Thomas H. O'Connor from the Office of the University Historian in 2002. Transfer records indicate that his office received the materials as a gift of the Sheehan family.

Related Materials

Ellerton J. Brehaut Boston history collection, MS.2008.016, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Ellerton J. Brehaut collection of Edward Hartwell Savage papers, MS.2004.069, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.