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James Howlett Boyd (November 5, 1906 – April 11, 1974) was an Atlantic City politician and criminal, who served under corrupt Atlantic County treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Johnson and New Jersey Senator Frank S. Farley.

Early life

James H. Boyd was born on November 5, 1906 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States and graduated from Atlantic City High School. In Boardwalk Empire, the character based on Jimmy Boyd enrolled in Princeton University in 1916 at Nucky Thompson's request, but dropped out to enlist in World War I. Princeton University alumni records have no record of James H. Boyd attending the university, and Boyd would have been too young to attend Princeton in 1916 or enlist in the Army in 1917.

Prohibition

Boyd was working as a bellhop at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during the time Prohibition went into effect in 1920. But, soon Boyd started to move up to the chain of command in corrupt Atlantic City treasurer and Southern Jersey Irish Mob boss Enoch “Nucky” Johnson's organization. Boyd and Johnson met around the time that Johnson and Charlie Luciano were forming the Big Seven and they took an instant liking to each other; Johnson began grooming Boyd to become the next boss in his organization. He later became Johnson's right-hand man. He oversaw speakeasies, brothels, illegal casinos, and the numbers rackets. Boyd was also Johnson's and future boss Farley's top enforcer.

Personal life

Boyd was married to Marie E. Boyd.

Frank Farley

After Johnson was convicted of tax evasion in 1941, New Jersey State Senator Frank S. Farley took control of Atlantic City's political machine. In order to create a “bridge” between the new and old regimes, Boyd was appointed the overseer of all operations in Atlantic City. He also became the executive chairman of the Fourth Ward Republican Club and assistant clerk and clerk of the Atlantic Board of Freeholders and boss of the fourth ward. Under the regime of Farley, Boyd was known as a vicious man.

World War II

Boyd enlisted in the Army during World War II. From 1942 to 1945, Boyd was a soldier in the 79th Infantry Division. He served in the Normandy battles, Northern France campaign, the Rhineland battles, and in Central Europe.

Death

Boyd died in his home on April 11, 1974 of cancer, at the age of 67. Prior to her death in 2006, his wife established the James H. Boyd Memorial Scholarship at the Atlantic Cape Community College, worth $10,000.

Television adaptation

Jimmy Darmody in the first two seasons of the HBO show Boardwalk Empire is, to some degree, based on Boyd. The fictional version of Boyd is a World War I veteran with a son and a wife. In the show, his father is Louis “Commodore” Kaestner (based on Louis “Commodore” Kuehnle) and his one-time mentor is corrupt Atlantic City treasurer and political boss Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (based on Enoch L. Johnson).

In the show, Darmody's associates/friends include: Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Al Capone, Johnny Torrio, Richard Harrow, and Mickey Doyle (based on Mickey Duffy).

References

1. ^ "ACCC Receives $10,000 in memory of Jimmy Boyd". April 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.
2. ^ "Real Nucky Thompson, Jimmy Darmody". April 2015.
3. ^ "Is Jimmy Darmody based on a real person?". September 2010.
4. ^ "Boardwalk Empire Book". April 2015.
5. ^ "Political Figure-James Boyd dies". April 1974.
6. Ellson, Edward Thomas (2002). Lords of Corruption. ISBN 9781401048013.

• 1906 births
• 1974 deaths
• New Jersey Republicans
• United States Army personnel of World War II
• Politicians from Atlantic City, New Jersey
• United States Army personnel
• Nucky Johnson's Organization
• Princeton University alumni