L. Douglas Wilder
Lawrence Douglas Wilder
L. Douglas Wilder of Richmond became the first African American elected governor of a U.S. state.
- Profession
- Governor, Attorney
- From
- Richmond, Virginia
- Born
- January 17, 1931
- Years active
- 1969–present
Early life
Born in Richmond in 1931, the grandson of enslaved people, Wilder earned a Bronze Star in the Korean War and became a trial lawyer.
Career
He served in the Virginia Senate and as lieutenant governor before being elected governor of Virginia in 1989, and later as mayor of Richmond.
Major achievements
His 1989 victory made him the first Black American elected governor of any state since Reconstruction.
Legacy
Wilder is a landmark figure in American political history and a trailblazer for Black leadership.
References
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