James A. Burke (March 3, 1890 – September 12, 1965) was a Democratic politician from Queens, New York City and served as its borough president for eight years.
[2] After high school he took night classes at New York University while he worked.
[1] During the first World War he worked as a civilian at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, eventually becoming superintendent of stock in charge of $60 million worth of supplies.
While there, he championed Queens issues, including the construction of the Grand Central Parkway.
[2] In 1941, he won election as borough president of Queens, beating the Republican incumbent George U. Harvey.