Edward N. Costikyan

Edward N. Costikyan (September 24, 1924  June 22, 2012) was a Democratic Party politician who was notable for reforming the Democratic party in New York City. He was also the author of many books and articles on varied topics of public policy and political science.

Early life and education

Costikyan was born in Weehawken, New Jersey on September 24, 1924.[1] By 1940, he and his family (father, Mihran N. Costikyan; mother, Berthe M. Costikyan; and older brother Andrew M. Costikyan) had moved to West 122nd Street in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.[2]

He graduated from Horace Mann School, where his mother taught, and served in World War II.[1]

He graduated from Columbia University in 1947, and Columbia Law School in 1949. He clerked for a year for Judge Harold R. Medina at the U.S. District Court.[1]

Career

In 1951 he joined the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, in his first position as an associate lawyer. He became a partner of that firm in 1960.[1]

Costikyan was elected chairman of the New York County Democratic Committee in 1962, defeating Carmine DeSapio, and served two years. He was credited for removing Tammany Hall influence, thus reforming the Democratic Party and bringing it into the 20th Century.[1]

He was Abraham Beame's campaign manager in the 1965 Mayoral campaign. He served on commissions investigating the new York City government for Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and Mario M. Cuomo.[1]

He dropped out of his campaign for Mayor in 1977, but instead joined the campaign of Edward I. Koch, formerly a political adversary.[1]

For many years until his death, he served as a member of the advisory board for the Center for New York City Law at New York Law School.[3]

Coskityan died on June 22, 2012, at the age of 87, at his daughter’s home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.[1]

Partial bibiolography

Costikyan was the author of many works on the law, public policy, and political science, including:

Books

Articles

Oral history

Personal

Costikyan was married and divorced twice, and had two children;[1] game designer Greg Costikyan is his son.

He was a founder and conductor for the Occasional Oratorio and Orchestral Society.[1]

See also

References

External links

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