William B. Hartsfield

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Berry Hartsfield
Hartsfield in 1961
49th Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
In office
1937–1941
Preceded by James L. Key
Succeeded by Roy LeCraw
51st Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
In office
1942–1962
Preceded by George B. Lyle
Succeeded by Ivan Allen, Jr.
Personal details
Born March 1, 1890
Atlanta, Georgia
Died February 22, 1971 (aged 80)
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) (1) Pearl Williams Hartsfield (married 1913-1962, divorced)

(2) Tollie Bedenbaugh Tolan Hartsfield

Children William B. Hartsfield, Jr.

Mildred Hartsfield
Carl Tolan Hartsfield (adopted)

William Berry Hartsfield, Sr. (March 1, 1890 – February 22, 1971), was an American politician who served as the 49th and 51st Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. His tenure extended from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1962, making him the longest-serving mayor of his native Atlanta, Georgia.

Hartsfield is credited with developing Atlanta's airport into a national aviation center and ensuring a good water supply with the completion of the Buford Dam. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is named in Hartsfield's honor as well as a later mayor, Maynard Jackson, who led the modernization of the airport in the 1970s.

Hartsfield was also responsible for fostering Atlanta's image as "the city too busy to hate" during the civil rights struggles of the 1950s. In 1957, he won election to his last term as mayor by defeating the staunch segregationist and future Governor Lester Maddox.

Willie B., a gorilla that became a popular attraction at Zoo Atlanta for decades, was named for Hartsfield.

Hartsfield was also a strong activist to permit unathletic children to play sports.

External links

References

  • William Berry Hartsfield (1978), Harold H. Martin, Latin Corp
  • Charlie Brown Remembers Atlanta (1982), Charles M. Brown, R. L. Bryan Company
  • Williams, Louis. 2002. "William B. Hartsfield (1890-1971)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities Council.
Preceded by
James L. Key
Mayor of Atlanta
19371941
Succeeded by
Roy LeCraw
Preceded by
George B. Lyle (acting)
Mayor of Atlanta
19421962
Succeeded by
Ivan Allen, Jr.



This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.