Michael Dracos Dimitry

Michael Dracos Dimitry (August 9, 1874 - October 21, 1929) was a Creole politician and lawyer known for legally representing New Orleans Storyville brothel madam Lulu White in her 1905 tax evasion incident along with George W Flynn. He also represented Lulu along with many colored prostitutes when they were ordered to vacate Storyville on February 18, 1917. Regrettably, Storyville was shut down eight months later. Michael's uncle was Mayor of Corencro Dracos Anthony Dimitry, and his brother was prominent New Orleans Optometrist Theodore John Dimitry Jr.. His family is one of the oldest Creole families in New Orleans, known as the Dimitry Family. His great-grandmother was mixed-race Creole socialite Marianne Celeste Dragon, and they experienced racism throughout the 19th century. At the turn of the century, they were one of the most powerful Creole families in Louisiana. Michael unsuccessfully ran for Judge of the New Orleans Court of Appeals in 1908 and 1912.

Michael was born in New Orleans in 1874 to Theodore John Dimitry and Irene Scott. His grandfather was prominent Creole educator John Baptiste Michael Dracos Dimitry. Both Michael and his brother Theodore attended Tulane University, one studied law and the other medicine. By 1901, Michael became New Orleans' assistant city attorney, and in 1904, he married Genevieve Flynn, the daughter of Louisiana State Senator George W Flynn. Both Michael and George practiced law together. Michael remained New Orleans' assistant city attorney until 1905, and during the following years, he unsuccessfully ran for New Orleans Judge until 1913, when he was nominated for New Orleans Attorney for Public Administration, a position he held for five years until 1918. He eventually moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he lived out the remainder of his life practicing law. Regrettably, he died of heart disease and pneumonia at the age of 55, and he is buried at the Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans.