Harold Washington

Harold Washington
Washington, circa 1982
51st Mayor of Chicago
In office April 29, 1983 – November 25, 1987
Deputy	Richard Mell David Orr
Preceded by	Jane Byrne
Succeeded by	David Orr (acting)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district
In office January 3, 1981 – April 30, 1983
Preceded by	Bennett Stewart
Succeeded by	Charles A. Hayes
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 26th district
In office May 7, 1977 – November 20, 1980
Preceded by	Cecil A. Partee
Succeeded by	James C. Taylor
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 26th district
In office March 22, 1965 – August 8, 1976
Personal details
Born	Harold Lee Washington (1922-04-15)April 15, 1922 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	November 25, 1987(1987-11-25) (aged 65) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Resting place	Oak Woods Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dorothy Finch ​ ​ (m. 1942; div. 1950)​
Domestic partner	Mary Ella Smith (1967–1987)
Education	Roosevelt University (BA) Northwestern University (JD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1942–1945
Rank	First Sergeant
Unit	United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces
Battles/wars	World War II  • South Pacific  • Central Pacific

This article is part of a series about Harold Washington
Legislative political career Illinois House tenure 1975 speakership campaign Illinois Senate tenure 1975 election 1980 Illinois Human Rights Act Illinois's 1st congressional district 1980 election 1982 election Mayoralty Elections 1977 1983 1987 Council Wars Chicago Cultural Plan of 1986 Cancellation of ChicagoFest Cancellation of 1992 World's Fair Construction of McCormick Place North Construction of new central library Transit projects O'Hare Airport expansion Chicago "L" projects O'Hare Branch Midway Branch
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Harold Lee Washington (April 15, 1922 – November 25, 1987) was an American lawyer and politician who was the 51st Mayor of Chicago.^[1] Washington became the first African American to be elected as the city's mayor in April 1983. He served as mayor from April 29, 1983, until his death on November 25, 1987. Born in Chicago and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood, Washington became involved in local 3rd Ward politics under Chicago Alderman and future Congressman Ralph Metcalfe after graduating from Roosevelt University and Northwestern University School of Law.^[2][3] Washington was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1983, representing Illinois's first district. Washington had previously served in the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 until 1976.