Mayor (Fr. maire, Lat. major; see MAJOR), originally a steward, bailiff, or overseer, thence the chief-magistrate of a city or corporate town in England or Ireland. The mayor is the head of the local judicature, and the executive officer of the municipality; he is elected by the council from the aldermen or councillors, and holds office for a year only. His duties include those of returning officer in all boroughs except those cities and towns which, being counties of themselves, have sheriffs of their own. The first Mayor of London was appointed in 1189, the first Mayor of Dublin in 1409. The mayors of London, York, and Dublin, and since 1890-95, of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham, are called 'Lord Mayor.' The Lord Mayor of London (q.v.)—since 1354 'Right Honourable'—is the representative of royalty in the civil government of the city, the chief-commissioner of lieutenancy, the conservator of the river Thames, and on the demise of a sovereign is summoned to attend the Privy-council. To sustain the hospitality of the city he receives an allowance of £8000 a year, with the use of the Mansion House (q.v.), furniture, carriages, &c. He is chosen by the Livery (q.v.) on the 29th September, being commonly the senior alderman who has not already 'passed the chair.' Although the office is still one of dignity, it is only in the eyes of foreigners that the Lord Mayor of London is one of the most important public functionaries of the realm. The Mayor of Dublin was first styled Lord Mayor by Charles II. in 1665. The title of Mayor is used to denote the chief officer of a city in the
United States and the British colonies. In France the Maire is first officer of a town, commune, or district. For the Mayor of the Palace, see PEPIN. See also PROVOST.