Mayor Shinn is a fictional character from the musical "The Music Man," created by Meredith Willson. He serves as the mayor of the small town of River City, Iowa, where he is portrayed as a somewhat pompous and self-important figure. His character often reflects the concerns and values of the townspeople, particularly regarding the arrival of outsiders. In the story, Mayor Shinn is skeptical of the new traveling salesman, Harold Hill, who promises to start a boys' band. His resistance to change and desire to maintain order in the town highlight the themes of tradition versus progress in the musical.