John Swift (politician)

He was a leader of the Whigs of Philadelphia and served as mayor in several non-consecutive terms: 1832–1838, 1839–1841, and 1845–1849.

His father, Charles Swift, was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

[1] Swift served as the Captain of the second company of the Washington Guards during the War of 1812.

Swift won the first Philadelphia Mayoral election with popular vote on October 15, 1839.

The following year, on October 20, 1840, Swift won the first Philadelphia Mayoral election purely decided by popular vote.