Alexander Henry (April 14, 1823 – December 6, 1883) was an American politician who served three terms as mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1858 to 1865.

[1] He became active in local politics, was a member of the Whig party[2] and represented the Seventh Ward on the City Council from 1856 to 1857.

He implemented changes to the organization of the Philadelphia police force which required testing applicants rather than the political appointment process that was used previously.

[4] On April 15, 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, when news of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter arrived in Philadelphia, Union supporters lashed out against Southern sympathizers.

Crowds continued for the next few days to roam throughout the city demanding that businesses and schools display a show of patriotism.

[5] Henry responded to the growing crisis, and led efforts, along with the city police, to turn away the rioters and quell the unrest.

[1] Henry died on December 6, 1883, in Philadelphia at age 60 from pneumonia after an extended visit to Europe and was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery.