Cyril King

Cyril Emanuel King (April 7, 1921 – January 2, 1978) was a politician, who served as the second elected governor of the United States Virgin Islands from 1975 until his death in 1978.[1]

For the English footballer, see Cyril King (footballer).
Cyril King
2nd Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office
January 6, 1975 – January 2, 1978
Preceded byMelvin H. Evans
Succeeded byJuan Francisco Luis
Personal details
Born(1921-04-07)April 7, 1921
Frederiksted, Virgin Islands, U.S.
DiedJanuary 2, 1978(1978-01-02) (aged 56)
Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (Before 1968)
Independent Citizens Movement (1968–1978)
Spouse(s)Agnes Schuster
Children1 daughter
EducationAmerican University (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Unit873rd Port Company
Battles/warsWorld War II

He also briefly served as acting governor in 1969, following the resignation of Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky.

Early life

King was born in Frederiksted on the island of Saint Croix, where he lived during his formative years.[1][2] During World War II, he served in the 873rd Port Company in Hawaii.[3]

After the completion of his service, he attended the American University, where he earned a public administration degree.[1]

Political career

Starting in 1949, King worked for Minnesota senator Hubert Humphrey, as the first black member of staff of the U.S. Senate.[2] He rose through the ranks of the office, eventually becoming chief of staff.[1] He returned to the islands in 1951 as an appointed government secretary for 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.[4][2] 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]

Commemorative Plaque at the Cyril E. King Airport

Legacy

A Virgin Islands' statute puts aside April 7, King's birthday, as Cyril Emmanuel King Day.[5]

In 1984, the Harry S. Truman Airport on St. Thomas was renamed Cyril E. King Airport by the Virgin Islands Legislature.

References
  1. "Virgin Islands Loses Its Black Governor to Cancer". Jet: 15. Jan 19, 1978. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20 – via Google Books.
  2. "First Black Senate Staff Member Dies". Associated Press. Charlotte Observer-Reporter. 1978-01-04. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  3. Thurland, Anne L. (2017-03-19). 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 2017-03-20.
  4. Gunson, Phil; Chamberlain, Greg; Thompson, Andrew (2015-12-22). The Dictionary of Contemporary Politics of Central America and the Caribbean. Routledge. p. 161. ISBN 9781317270539. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20.
  5. Staff (2013-04-04). "Cyril E. King Commemoration Set for Sunday". V.I. Source Archives. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
Political offices
Preceded by
Melvin H. Evans		 Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands
1975–1978		 Succeeded by
Juan Francisco Luis
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