Abraham Oakey Hall (July 26, 1826 – October 7, 1898) was an American politician, lawyer, and writer who served as Mayor of New York City from 1869 to 1872.

Originally a member of the Whig Party, he was sworn in as the 15th New York County District Attorney in 1855 and served until 1858.

[1] During this period, using the pen name of Hans Yorkel, he served as the New York correspondent of the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin.

[5] In November 1854, Hall was elected on the Whig ticket to succeed Shepard, and served his first term as New York County District Attorney from 1855 to 1857.

[13] As mayor, Hall was unpopular for a myriad of reasons, partly due to the ongoing political clashes between Anglo "Nativists" and the Irish population.

Nevertheless, riots did occur, cementing Hall's negative image on both sides and severely compromising Hoffman's political career.

[14] Additionally, Hall backed away from supporting Republican candidates because of widespread dislike of the Nativists within the Party.

[15] In particular, Thomas Nast, who had old-line Republican leanings, took aim at "Elegant Oakey" whom he considered to be the worst of the Tweed politicians because of his high standing, education and open presidential ambitions.

[3] A 1993 survey of historians, political scientists and urban experts conducted by Melvin G. Holli of the University of Illinois at Chicago ranked Hall as the sixth-worst American big-city mayor to have served between the years 1820 and 1993.

The lessee and manager, William Stuart was unable to continue in business and swiftly sold the theatre to Henry E. Abbey.

[citation needed] His daughter Cara de la Montagnie Hall married Rear Admiral Thomas Holdup Stevens III, but maintained her name to honor her father.

He lost the case (she was sentenced to a year in prison), but she credited him with reducing the charges against her and providing her a platform to air her anarchist views.

[21] Hall died of heart disease on October 7, 1898, in New York City, and was buried at Trinity Cemetery, located at 155th Street and Broadway in Manhattan.