Ben West

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For other persons named Benjamin West, see Benjamin West (disambiguation).

Raphael Benjamin West (March 31, 1911–November 20, 1974) was mayor of Nashville, Tennessee from 1951-1963.

Born in Columbia, Tennessee, he attended Cumberland Law School and Vanderbilt University. After losing the Nashville mayoral race in 1943, he won election as vice-mayor in 1946, later winning a state senator race in 1949.

His strong ties with the African American community led Nashville to be the first southern city to desegregate public facilities. After Nashville became a consolidated city-county government, he lost re-election.

[edit] References

  • Staff report (November 22, 1974). BEN WEST IS DEAD; NASHVILLE MAYOR; Served From 1951 to 1963--Enforced Integration Enforced Integration. New York Times

[edit] External links

  • Ben West via Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture
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