| George D. O'Brien | |
|---|---|
 O'Brien, c. 1943 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 13th district | |
| In office January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence J. McLeod |
| Succeeded by | Clarence J. McLeod |
| In office January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1947 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence J. McLeod |
| Succeeded by | Howard A. Coffin |
| In office January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1955 | |
| Preceded by | Howard A. Coffin |
| Succeeded by | Charles Diggs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1900-01-01)January 1, 1900 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 25, 1957(1957-10-25) (aged 57) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret O'Brien |
| Alma mater | University of Detroit (BA) University of Detroit Law School (JD) |
| Occupation |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Rank | private |
| Conflict | World War I |
George Donoghue O'Brien (January 1, 1900 – October 25, 1957) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives on three separate occasions.
Early life and education
O'Brien was born in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. During the First World War, O'Brien served as a private and was assigned to the Students' Training Corps. He graduated from the University of Detroit in 1921 and also graduated from the University of Detroit Law School in 1924. He was admitted to the bar in 1924 and commenced practice in Detroit.
Tenure in Congress
In 1936, O'Brien defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Clarence J. McLeod to be elected as a Democrat from Michigan's 13th congressional district to the 75th Congress, serving from January 3, 1937, to January 3, 1939. He lost to McLeod in 1938, but defeated McLeod again in 1940 to be elected to the 77th Congress, and subsequently re-elected to the 78th and 79th Congresses, serving from January 3, 1941, to January 3, 1947. In 1946, he lost to Republican Howard Aldridge Coffin, but defeated Coffin in 1948 to be elected to the 81st Congress and subsequently re-elected to the 82nd and 83rd Congresses, serving from January 3, 1949, to January 3, 1955. In 1954, he was defeated in the Democratic Party primary elections by Charles C. Diggs, Jr., who went on to win the general election.
O'Brien was chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads during the 75th Congress and a delegate to the 1944 Democratic National Convention in 1944. He also was an unsuccessful candidate for circuit judge of Michigan's 3rd Circuit in 1947.
Life after Congress
After leaving Congress, O'Brien served as assistant corporation counsel of the District of Columbia, assigned to the Civil Proceedings Division from July 11, 1955, until his death in Washington, D.C.
He is interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.
References
- United States Congress. "George D. O'Brien (id: O000009)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byClarence J. McLeod | United States Representative for the 13th Congressional District of Michigan 1937 – 1939 |
Succeeded byClarence J. McLeod |
| Preceded byClarence J. McLeod | United States Representative for the 13th Congressional District of Michigan 1941 – 1947 |
Succeeded byHoward A. Coffin |
| Preceded byHoward A. Coffin | United States Representative for the 13th Congressional District of Michigan 1949 – 1955 |
Succeeded byCharles C. Diggs, Jr. |
| Chairs of the United States House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service | ||
|---|---|---|
| Post Office and Post Roads (1808–1947) |
|  |
| (Reform in the) Civil Service* (1893–1947) | ||
| Post Office and Civil Service (1947–1995) | ||
| Note | Name shortened from Reform in the Civil Service to Civil Service in 1925. | |
- "Locate a Loved One". The Mt. Elliott Cemeteries. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- 1900 births
- 1957 deaths
- University of Detroit Mercy alumni
- University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy alumni
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Michigan
- American people of Irish descent
- American Roman Catholics
- Lawyers from Detroit
- Politicians from Detroit
- 20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives