Ivan Allen Jr.
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Ivan Allen Jr. (March 15, 1911 - July 2, 2003) was a U.S. political figure most notable for serving as the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia during the turbulent civil rights era of the 1960s.
[edit] Biography
Allen graduated from Georgia Tech with a commerce degree in 1933, where he was President of the Student Council and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.[1] The College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech was named for him in 1990.[2]
[edit] Politics
Allen testified before the U.S. Congress in July 1963 in support of civil rights legislation and made major strides in desegregation in Atlanta's city government.[3] During his two terms as Mayor, Atlanta experienced dramatic growth and saw major construction including the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Stadium, which was built to help bring the Braves from Milwaukee, and Atlanta Civic Center as well as the beginning of Interstate 285, known as "Atlanta's Perimeter", and the Downtown Connector highway.[3] The Chateau de Sully air disaster at Orly Airport, Paris which killed over 100 Atlanta civic and cultural leaders occurred during his first term.[4]
| Preceded by William B. Hartsfield |
Mayor of Atlanta January 1962 – January 1970 |
Succeeded by Sam Massell |
[edit] References
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