Thirman L. Milner

Thirman L. Milner (born October 29, 1933) is an American politician from Hartford, Connecticut. A Democrat, he served as the 62nd Mayor of Hartford from 1981 to 1987 and was the first popularly elected black mayor in New England.

Thirman L. Milner
62nd Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
In office
December 1, 1981 – December 1, 1987
Preceded byGeorge A. Athanson
Succeeded byCarrie Saxon Perry
Personal details
Born (1933-10-29) October 29, 1933
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationNew York University

Early life

Thirman Milner was born in Hartford, Connecticut. After high school he attended New York University, initially wanting to major in pharmacy. While in college, a speech by Martin Luther King inspired Milner to pursue a life of public service.[1]

Political career

Mayoralty

In 1981, Thirman Milner defeated incumbent George A. Athanson in a second Democratic primary election. Athanson had won the first primary by 94 votes but was re-run after Milner contested the results and a court agreed that there had been irregularities. Milner was elected mayor in a three way race against Independent Robert F. Ludgin and Republican Michael T. McGarry. He was the first popularly elected black mayor in New England.[2] Milner won re-election in 1983 and again in 1985.[3]

State assembly

After serving three terms as mayor of Hartford, Milner was elected to a single term in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing the seventh district. He served on the Connecticut Senate starting in 1992, declining to run for reelection from the second district in 1994 due to heath reasons.[4]

Legacy

The Thirman L. Milner Middle Grades Academy (formerly Thirman L. Milner School), a middle school in Hartford, is named after the Mayor.[5]

Works
  • Up from Slavery: A History from Slavery to City Hall in New England[6]
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References
  1. Hall, Lorenzo. "Hartford's first black mayor looks back on life's accomplishments while enjoying retirement". fox61.com. Fox 61. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  2. Madden, Richard L. "MILNER ELECTED MAYOR IN HARTFORD; RECOUNT IS EXPECTED IN BRIDGEPORT". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  3. "Election results". CT.gov. Office of the Secretary of State.
  4. Puleo, Tom. Thirman Milner Honored By Hartford Organization. Hartford Courant. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  5. "Thirman Milner School". hartfordschools.org. Hartford Schools. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  6. Milner, Thirman (June 30, 2014). Up from Slavery: A History from Slavery to City Hall in New England. Redemption Press. ISBN 1632326469.
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