Overview of his life

William B. Hartsfield (1890-1971) is primarily known for two things. The first was his active support in bringing air transportation to the state. The second was his coinage of the phrase often used to describe Atlanta’s racial tolerance: “the city too busy to hate.” Nevertheless, Hartsfield, who never graduated from high school or college, was significant for other reasons. Primarily he was Atlanta’s longest serving mayor (1937-1941; 1942-1961), and his support of civil rights kept Atlanta from the racial violence that engulfed many other southern cities.

 

Early Life

Hartsfield was born in Atlanta and attended the city’s public schools. Though never finishing high school, Hartsfield found work in a law firm and spent his nights studying for the bar exam. After becoming a lawyer, he opened his own law firm in 1921. In 1922, Hartsfield began his political career when he was elected to the Atlanta city council. As a member of the council, Hartsfield supported airports and was key in opening Atlanta’s first airport in 1925.

Mayor of Atlanta

In 1937, Hartsfield became mayor of Atlanta. In his first term he did many things to help the city during the depression, including convincing Robert Woodruff, the president of the Coca-Cola company, to finance the city’s 1936 December payroll. Though Hartsfield lost the 1940 election he was reelected in 1942 when Atlanta mayor Robert Le Craw left to fight in World War II. Hartsfield remained in the mayor’s office for almost 20 years.

End of his career

During his second time as mayor, Hartsfield was key in the calm integration of Atlanta’s public schools. He helped Atlanta triple in size by adding several square miles. He helped get many public parks built, and he made more interstates in Atlanta. Hartsfield retired from public office in 1961. After his death in 1971, Atlanta named its airport Hartsfield International in his honor.

Go to Padlet for information on Ivan Allen, Jr.

http://padlet.com/wall/kwfky0wanq