WASHINGTON, HAROLD

born April 15, 1922, Chicago, Ill., U.S.

died Nov. 25, 1987, Chicago

U.S. politician and mayor of Chicago (1983–87).

He practiced law and served as a city attorney (1954–58). He was elected successively to the Illinois legislature (1965–76), the state senate (1976–89), and the U.S. House of Representatives (1980–83). In 1983 he campaigned for mayor of Chicago on a platform of reform and an end to city patronage; with his election, he become the first African American to hold that post. He was reelected to a second term in 1987 but died soon after.