William B. Hartsfield
Encyclopedia
William Berry Hartsfield (March 1890 – February 22, 1971) was an American
politician
. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia
, and served as its 49th and 51st Mayor
from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1962, making him the longest-serving mayor in Atlanta history.
Hartsfield is credited with developing Atlanta's airport into a national aviation center and ensuring a good water supply with the completion of the Buford Dam. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
is named in honor of him and a later mayor, Maynard Jackson
, who led the modernization of the airport in the 1970s.
Hartsfield was also responsible for fostering Atlanta's image as "the city too busy to hate" during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950s.
Willie B.
, a gorilla
who was a popular attraction at Zoo Atlanta
for decades, was named for Hartsfield.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, and served as its 49th and 51st Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1962, making him the longest-serving mayor in Atlanta history.
Hartsfield is credited with developing Atlanta's airport into a national aviation center and ensuring a good water supply with the completion of the Buford Dam. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport , known locally as Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield Airport, and Hartsfield–Jackson, is located seven miles south of the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
is named in honor of him and a later mayor, Maynard Jackson
Maynard Jackson
Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. was an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and the first African American mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. He served three terms, two consecutive terms from 1974 until 1982 and a third term from 1990 to 1994...
, who led the modernization of the airport in the 1970s.
Hartsfield was also responsible for fostering Atlanta's image as "the city too busy to hate" during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950s.
Willie B.
Willie B.
Willie B. was a silverback Gorilla who lived at Zoo Atlanta for 39 years, from 1961 until his death in February of 2000. When he died at the age of 41, he was the oldest Gorilla in the United States to have fathered offspring....
, a gorilla
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
who was a popular attraction at Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is Atlanta’s oldest cultural destination and is one of the oldest continuously operating zoological institutions in the United States.Zoo Atlanta houses over 1,300 animals...
for decades, was named for Hartsfield.