Early life
Linehan was born in Boston and is the oldest of eight children. He has been active in politics since his teenage years. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Boston.Career
Before his election to the City Council, Linehan served as the Director of Operations for the City of Boston's Parks Department and later as the Special Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer of the City of Boston for six years. Linehan was first elected to the City Council via a special election in May 2007, following the death of Councillor James M. Kelly. Linehan was re-elected five times, until announcing in February 2017 that he would not run in the November 2017 election. Linehan was president of the City Council in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, Linehan championed a proposal to rename South Boston's Branch Library for former Massachusetts Senate President William M. Bulger.Personal life
Linehan and his wife, Judy, have four children and six grandchildren.References
Further reading
* * * "Linehan's name game". The Boston Globe. November 22, 2014. * Irons, Meghan E. and Ryan, Andrew. "Council head now says raise can wait: Before expected vote, Linehan cites ethics panel advice". The Boston Globe. October 7, 2014. * Ryan, Andrew. "Linehan proposes 29% raise for City Council". The Boston Globe. September 16, 2014. * "Linehan stirs up resentments with proposal to honor Bulger". The Boston Globe. August 15, 2014. * Baker, Billy. "Linehan to skip St. Patrick's parade: City Council leader invited to Ireland". The Boston Globe. February 13, 2014. * Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan elected council president". The Boston Globe. January 7, 2014. * Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan poised to take council reins: Appears to have secured backers". The Boston Globe. December 10, 2013. * Irons, Meghan E. "Linehan, Lee: The rematch: Incumbent city councilor talks up his accomplishments as a 'persistent' rival aim