Clarence H. Burns

Clarence Henry "Du" Burns (September 13, 1918 – January 12, 2003) was a Democratic politician and first African American mayor of Baltimore, Maryland in 1987.

Clarence H. Burns
45th Mayor of Baltimore
In office January 26, 1987 – December 8, 1987
Preceded by	William Donald Schaefer
Succeeded by	Kurt Schmoke
Personal details
Born	Clarence Henry Burns September 13, 1918 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	January 12, 2003 (aged 84) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Edith Phillips
Alma mater	Larry London Music School

Career

Du Burns was first elected to the Baltimore City Council in 1971. In January 1987, the then-Mayor William Donald Schaefer resigned after being elected Governor of Maryland. As City Council president, Burns was elevated to mayor, becoming the first black mayor in the city's history.

In the 1987 city elections, Burns ran for a full term but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Kurt Schmoke. He ran again in 1991 with the same result.

In 1991 a new arena on thewaterfront near Canton was named for "Du" Burns.

Personal life

Burns was Catholic, an active member of Historic St. Francis Xavier Church.[1]

References

1. O'Mara, Richard. "The man who chose to 'do'; At 80, Baltimore's first black mayor, Clarence 'Du' Burns, is out of politics but still enjoys the role of exemplary elder statesman". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

External links

• "Clarence H. Du Burns First black mayor of Baltimore". The Baltimore Sun. February 21, 2007. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
• "Clarence H. Burns". Find a Grave. Retrieved May 16, 2009.