Born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 22, 1866, Gallivan attended the public schools; was graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1884 and from Harvard University in 1888; engaged in newspaper work in 1888; member of the State house of representatives in 1895 and 1896; served in the State senate in 1897 and 1898; street commissioner of Boston 1900-1914; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James M. Curley; reelected to the Sixty-fourth and to the six succeeding Congresses and served from April 7, 1914, until his death in Arlington, Mass., April 3, 1928; interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery (West Roxbury), Boston, Mass.