born Feb. 9, 1814, New Lebanon, N.Y., U.S.
died Aug. 4, 1886, Greystone, N.Y.
U.S. politician.
He was a leader of New York's Democratic Party, and, as state party chairman (1865–75), he effected the overthrow of the Tammany Hall boss Electoral Commission , which decided in favour of the Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes (See also {{link=electoral college">electoral college ). Unwilling to cause further conflict, Tilden accepted the decision and returned to his prosperous law practice. On his death he left his large fortune to establish a free public library for New York City.