Quick Facts
Biography
Robert Tyng Bushnell(born January 9, 1896 in New York City, died October 23, 1949 in Manhattan ) was an American politician who served as Massachusetts Attorney General from 1941-1945.
A Boston lawyer, Bushnell served as District Attorney of Middlesex County, President of the Republican Club of Massachusetts, and chairman of the Boston chapter of the Motion Picture Research Councilbefore being elected Attorney General.
As Attorney General, Bushnell lead the investigation into the Cocoanut Grove fire. Bushnell's investigation resulted a reform of fire codes and club owner Barney Welansky being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
In 1942, Bushnell tried to have fascist leader Edward Holton James committed to a psychiatric state hospital after he was indicted on charges of criminal libel. In 1943, he indicted Boston Police Commissioner Joseph F. Timilty and six of his subordinates on charges of conspiracy to permit the operation of gambling houses and the registration of bets.
Bushnell died on October 23, 1949 in his suite at the Royalton Hotel from a heart attack.