Richard C. Lee: Difference between revisions
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'''Richard Charles Lee''' ( |
'''Richard Charles Lee''' (March 12, 1916 - February 2, 2003) (sometimes called "'''"Mr. Urban America"''') was the longest serving [[Mayor of New Haven]] (1954-70) and also the youngest when he held the position in 1954 at age 37. Lee is best known for his leading role in urban redevelopment in the 1950s and 60s. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Richard Charles Lee was born on |
Richard Charles Lee was born on March 12, 1916. He grew up in a cold-water apartment in the working-class Newhallville neighborhood of New Haven. His father, Frederick, worked at the [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company]]. He graduated from [[Hillhouse High School]] in 1934. |
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After being defeated for mayor in 1949 and 1951, he won in 1954. During his first re-election campaign in 1957, [[John F. Kennedy]], then in the Senate, traveled to New Haven to campaign for him. To shore up New Haven's large Italian electorate, the mayor brought in [[Rocky Marciano]], the boxer. He won that election by a two-to-one margin. He died of [[diabetes]] and [[heart disease]] at the age of 86 after serving sixteen years as mayor, still a record. |
After being defeated for mayor in 1949 and 1951, he won in 1954. During his first re-election campaign in 1957, [[John F. Kennedy]], then in the Senate, traveled to New Haven to campaign for him. To shore up New Haven's large [[Italian-American|Italian]] electorate, the mayor brought in [[Rocky Marciano]], the boxer. He won that election by a two-to-one margin. He died of [[diabetes]] and [[heart disease]] at the age of 86 after serving sixteen years as mayor, still a record. |
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On May 17, 1999, Congresswoman [[Rosa DeLauro]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[Connecticut|CT]]) dedicated the [[Richard C. Lee Courthouse]] in downtown New Haven to Lee. DeLauro worked with [[U.S. Senate|Senators]] [[Christopher Dodd]] and [[Joseph Lieberman]] to rename the federal building, which stands at 141 [[Church Street (New Haven)|Church Street]]. The [[Oak Street Connector|Richard C. Lee Highway]], a freeway in downtown New Haven, is also named in his honor. A New Haven public [[high school]], [[Career Magnet High School]], formerly carried the name Richard C. Lee High School in his honor.<ref>Allan Appel, [http://newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/07/the_monks_of_ne.php New Haven’s Monks Sing On], July 21, 2008 (identifies Lee High School as the "the predecessor to Career").</ref> |
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==References== |
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*[[Oak Street Connector]], also known as the Richard C. Lee Highway - a freeway in downtown New Haven named after the former mayor |
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Revision as of 15:23, 6 January 2009
Richard Charles Lee (March 12, 1916 - February 2, 2003) (sometimes called ""Mr. Urban America") was the longest serving Mayor of New Haven (1954-70) and also the youngest when he held the position in 1954 at age 37. Lee is best known for his leading role in urban redevelopment in the 1950s and 60s.
Biography
Richard Charles Lee was born on March 12, 1916. He grew up in a cold-water apartment in the working-class Newhallville neighborhood of New Haven. His father, Frederick, worked at the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1934.
After being defeated for mayor in 1949 and 1951, he won in 1954. During his first re-election campaign in 1957, John F. Kennedy, then in the Senate, traveled to New Haven to campaign for him. To shore up New Haven's large Italian electorate, the mayor brought in Rocky Marciano, the boxer. He won that election by a two-to-one margin. He died of diabetes and heart disease at the age of 86 after serving sixteen years as mayor, still a record.
On May 17, 1999, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) dedicated the Richard C. Lee Courthouse in downtown New Haven to Lee. DeLauro worked with Senators Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman to rename the federal building, which stands at 141 Church Street. The Richard C. Lee Highway, a freeway in downtown New Haven, is also named in his honor. A New Haven public high school, Career Magnet High School, formerly carried the name Richard C. Lee High School in his honor.[1]
References
- ^ Allan Appel, New Haven’s Monks Sing On, July 21, 2008 (identifies Lee High School as the "the predecessor to Career").
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