Cyril Emanuel King (April 7, 1921 – January 2, 1978) was an American politician who served as the second elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1975 until his death in 1978.[1]
Cyril King | |
|---|---|
 Plaque commemorating King at the Cyril E. King Airport | |
| 2nd Governor 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 |
He also briefly served as acting governor in 1969, following the resignation of Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky.
Early life
editKing 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 the American University, where he earned a public administration degree.[1]
Political career
editStarting in 1949, King worked for Minnesota senator Hubert 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 of President John F. Kennedy .[1]
To support his election for governor in 1970 and challenge the Democratic Party in the Virgin Islands, he developed the Independent 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
editWhile 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
editA Virgin Islands statute puts aside April 7, King's birthday, as Cyril Emmanuel King Day.[6] In 1984, the Harry S. Truman Airport on St. Thomas was renamed Cyril E. King Airport by the Virgin Islands Legislature.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Virgin Islands Loses Its Black Governor to Cancer". Jet: 15. January 19, 1978. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Community Celebrate's King's Legacy". Virgin Islands Source. April 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ a b c "First Black Senate Staff Member Dies". Charlotte Observer-Reporter. Associated Press. January 4, 1978. Retrieved July 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. ISBN 9781468541229. Archived from 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. ISBN 9781317270539. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ Staff (April 4, 2013). "Cyril E. King Commemoration Set for Sunday". V.I. Source Archives. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
External links
edit- Cyril King at Find a Grave
- Profiles of Outstanding Virgin Islanders [dead link] (includes link to photo)