Who was the infamous political boss that controlled Tammany Hall and was involved in massive corruption in New York City?

William Tweed, often referred to as "Boss Tweed," was the political boss who controlled Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine in New York City during the late 19th century. His influence over the political system allowed him to orchestrate a wide range of corrupt activities, including kickbacks, bribery, and the manipulation of contracts for city projects.

Tweed's tactics included securing votes through patronage and ensuring loyalty among political allies. He was notorious for his involvement in the embezzlement of large sums of money from the city treasury, particularly during his tenure as a city official, which has been estimated to have cost the city millions of dollars.

His corrupt practices eventually led to significant public backlash and investigations, notably illustrated by the work of the cartoonist Thomas Nast, who used his art to expose and ridicule Tweed's corrupt activities. The exposure of Tweed’s malfeasance helped to bring about his downfall, leading to his arrest in 1871 and subsequent imprisonment. His story serves as a prominent example of political corruption in the Gilded Age and the challenges of reforming urban political systems.