Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 5, 1888. He attended Boston Latin School and graduated from Harvard University in 1910
Read more
He received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1913 and entered private practice in Boston. During World War I, he served as a lieutenant colonel in the infantry at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. After the war he served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Massachusetts.
He became a member of the Republican National Committee in 1920 and was elected to Congress in 1922. He served five terms, leading the House of Representatives for almost six years until his death on May 19, 1976. He is known for his leadership during the Watergate scandal and his many accomplishments while serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives.