J. Hampton (Joseph Hampton) Moore

Born in Philadelphia on March 8, 1864, Joseph Hampton Moore—often known as J. Hampton Moore—began his career in journalism before moving into politics. He worked as a reporter and editor, and that background helped shape the direct, public-facing style that carried into his later writing and speeches.

Moore served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania and later became mayor of Philadelphia, holding the office in two separate stretches during the 1920s. He was closely identified with Republican politics and with city government at a time when Philadelphia was wrestling with growth, infrastructure, and reform.

Alongside his political career, he wrote books connected to public affairs and travel, including With Speaker Cannon Through the Tropics, an account tied to a congressional journey through the Caribbean and Panama. For listeners coming to his work today, he offers a window into the language, ambitions, and civic culture of his era.