Cyril King
Cyril King | |
|---|---|
| 2ndGovernor of the United States Virgin Islands | |
| In office January 6, 1975 – January 2, 1978 | |
| Lieutenant | Juan Francisco Luis |
| Preceded by | Melvin H. Evans |
| Succeeded by | Juan Francisco Luis |
| In office February 12, 1969 – July 1, 1969 Acting | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Paiewonsky |
| Succeeded by | Melvin H. Evans |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cyril Emanuel King April 7, 1921 Frederiksted,U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Died | January 2, 1978(aged 56) Charlotte Amalie,U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Political party | Democratic(Before 1968) Independent Citizens Movement(1968–1978) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 daughter, Lillia |
| Education | American University(BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Unit | 873rd Port Company |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Cyril Emanuel King(April 7, 1921 – January 2, 1978) was an American politician who served as the second electedGovernor of the United States Virgin Islandsfrom 1975 until his death in 1978.[1]
He also briefly served as acting governor in 1969, following the resignation of GovernorRalph M. Paiewonsky.
Early life
[edit]King was born in Frederiksted on the island of Saint Croix, where he lived during his formative years.[2][1][3]During World War II, he served in the 873rd Port Company in Hawaii.[4]
After the completion of his service, he attended theAmerican University,where he earned a public administration degree.[1]
Political career
[edit]Starting in 1949, King worked for Minnesota senatorHubert Humphrey,as the first black member of staff of the U.S. Senate.[3]He rose through the ranks of the office, eventually becoming chief of staff.[1]He returned to the islands in 1961 as government secretary on the appointment ofPresidentJohn F. Kennedy.[1]
To support his election for governor in 1970 and challenge the Democratic Party in the Virgin Islands, he developed theIndependent Citizens Movement.[3][5]Even though his 1970 campaign was unsuccessful, he ran again in 1974 and won, becoming the second governor of the Virgin Islands.[1]At the time of his death, he had been planning to run for a second term.[1]
Death
[edit]While stateside on official business in 1977, King took ill and decided to return to the territory where he was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters at the airport that now bears his name. He worked from home but never recovered fully, and died on January 2, 1978. It was eventually revealed he suffered from cancer.
Legacy
[edit]A Virgin Islands statute puts aside April 7, King's birthday, as Cyril Emmanuel King Day.[6] In 1984, the Harry S. Truman Airport onSt. Thomaswas renamedCyril E. King Airportby the Virgin Islands Legislature.
References
[edit]- ^abcdefg"Virgin Islands Loses Its Black Governor to Cancer".Jet:15. January 19, 1978.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^"Community Celebrate's King's Legacy".Virgin Islands Source.April 8, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 31,2022.
- ^abc"First Black Senate Staff Member Dies".Charlotte Observer-Reporter.Associated Press.January 4, 1978.RetrievedJuly 24,2011.
- ^Thurland, Anne L. (March 19, 2017).Will Thurland's World War II Photo Collection: The Virgin Islands Orchestra of the 873rd Port Company.AuthorHouse. pp. 14, 39.ISBN9781468541229.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2017.
- ^Gunson, Phil; Chamberlain, Greg; Thompson, Andrew (December 22, 2015)."Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM)".The Dictionary of Contemporary Politics of Central America and the Caribbean.Routledge.p. 161.ISBN9781317270539.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2017.RetrievedApril 24,2024– viaGoogle Books.
- ^Staff (April 4, 2013)."Cyril E. King Commemoration Set for Sunday".V.I. Source Archives.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2017.RetrievedMarch 19,2017.
External links
[edit]- Cyril KingatFind a Grave
- Profiles of Outstanding Virgin Islanders[dead link](includes link to photo)
| Naval(1917–1931) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Civil(1931–1969) | ||
| Elected(since 1969) | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1921 births
- 1978 deaths
- 20th-century African-American people
- African-American people in United States Virgin Island politics
- American University alumni
- Democratic Party governors of the United States Virgin Islands
- Governors of the United States Virgin Islands
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- United States Virgin Islands military personnel