J. Howard McGrath

James Howard McGrath (November 28, 1903–September 2, 1966) was an American lawyer and politician.

Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he graduated from La Salle Academy, in 1922, from Providence College in 1926 and Boston University in 1929. From 1930 to 1934 he was city solicitor of Central Falls, Rhode Island. During this time he was also interested in the real estate and insurance business and was in banking.

He served as U.S. District Attorney for the District of Rhode Island from 1935 to 1940.

From 1940 until 1945 he was Governor of Rhode Island. McGrath served as Solicitor General of the United States from 1945 to 1946. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1947 to 1949.

He was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate from Rhode Island in 1946. He was chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the District of Columbia for the 81st Congress.

President Harry Truman appointed McGrath Attorney General of the United States on August 24, 1949. He resigned from that office on April 7, 1952 and entered the private practice of law in Washington, D.C. and Providence. He was an unsuccessful candidate for nomination as United States Senator in 1960.

McGrath died in Narragansett, Rhode Island in 1966 and is buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.