Melvin H. Evans
Melvin H. Evans | |
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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 August 7, 1917 Christiansted, Virgin Islands, U.S. |
Died | November 27, 1984 Christiansted, Virgin Islands, U.S. | (aged 67)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Mary Evans |
Children | 4 |
Education | Howard University (BS, MD) University of California, Berkeley (MPH) |
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.
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
References
- ^ a b c Feuerzeig, Penny (November 8, 1978). "Luis-Millin, Evans Beats Watlington". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ 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[permanent dead link] (includes link to photo)
- 1917 births
- 1984 deaths
- 20th-century American politicians
- Ambassadors of the United States to Trinidad and Tobago
- African-American diplomats
- African-American members of the United States House of Representatives
- African-American people in United States Virgin Island politics
- Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from the United States Virgin Islands
- Governors of the United States Virgin Islands
- Howard University alumni
- People from Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- Republican Party of the Virgin Islands politicians