Melvin H. Evans

Melvin Herbert Evans (August 7, 1917 – November 27, 1984) was an U.S. Virgin Islands politician, who served as the appointive, and the first elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 to 1975. After serving as governor he was delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1981.

Melvin H. Evans
United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
In office January 1, 1982 – November 21, 1984
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Irving Cheslaw
Succeeded by	Sheldon J. Krys
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands' at-large district
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Ron de Lugo
Succeeded by	Ron de Lugo
Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
In office July 1, 1969 – January 6, 1975
Lieutenant	David Maas Athniel Ottley
Preceded by	Ralph Moses Paiewonsky
Succeeded by	Cyril King
Personal details
Born	Melvin Herbert Evans (1917-08-07)August 7, 1917 Christiansted, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Died	November 27, 1984(1984-11-27) (aged 67) Christiansted, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mary Evans
Children	4
Education	Howard University (BS, MD) University of California, Berkeley (MPH)

Evans was born in Christiansted in Saint Croix, and attended Howard University, Washington, D.C. and the University of California, Berkeley. He was the Virgin Islands Health Commissioner, and appointed Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 until 1971. He was the first elected Governor in 1970 and served from 1971 until 1975. Evans was a Republican National Committeeman and served as a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention and 1976 Republican National Convention.

On November 7, 1978, Evans was elected Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from U.S. Virgin Islands as a Republican.[1] He defeated Democrat Janet Watlington, an aide to outgoing Del. Ron de Lugo, with 10,458 votes, or 52% of the vote.[1] Watlington placed second 9,588 votes, equaling 48% of the total votes cast.[1] Evans served as Delegate in the House from January 3, 1979 to January 3, 1981. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980, losing to former Delegate Ron de Lugo.

Evans was appointed United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and served until his death. He is interred in Christiansted Cemetery in Saint Croix.[2]

See also

• List of African-American United States Representatives

References

1. Feuerzeig, Penny (November 8, 1978). "Luis-Millin, Evans Beats Watlington". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
2. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

External links

• United States Congress. "Melvin H. Evans (id: E000254)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Profiles of Outstanding Virgin Islanders (includes link to photo)

Political offices
Preceded by Ralph Moses Paiewonsky	Governor of the United States Virgin Islands 1969–1975	Succeeded by Cyril King
Party political offices
First	Republican nominee for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands 1970	Vacant Title next held by Julio Brady 1986
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Ron de Lugo	Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the United States Virgin Islands 1979–1981	Succeeded by Ron de Lugo
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Irving Cheslaw	United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago 1982–1984	Succeeded by Sheldon J. Krys