Bird Sim Coler

Who was Bird Sim Coler?

Bird Sim Coler was an American politician. He established himself as a stockbroker in New York City, became prominent in municipal and State politics, and served as first Comptroller of Greater New York in 1897-1901. In 1902, he was the Democratic nominee for Governor of New York, but lost to Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., by a small plurality in spite of his enormous lead in New York City. In 1905 he was elected president of the Borough of Brooklyn, on the Municipal Ownership ticket. In 1918, he ran unsuccessfully on the Democratic ticket for New York State Comptroller.

His publications include:

Municipal Government as Illustrated by the Charter, Finances, and Public Charities of New York

Socialism in the Schools

Two and Two Make Four

Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital on Roosevelt Island bears his name.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Thurston, H. T.; Moore, F., eds.. "". New International Encyclopedia. New York: Dodd, Mead.