Role American Politician | Political party Democratic Name William Hartsfield | |
 | ||
Full Name William Berry Hartsfield Spouse(s) (1) Pearl Williams Hartsfield (married 1913-1962, divorced)(2) Tollie Bedenbaugh Tolan Hartsfield Children William B. Hartsfield, Jr.Mildred HartsfieldCarl Tolan Hartsfield (adopted) Died February 22, 1971, Atlanta, Georgia, United States | ||
William b hartsfield speaks on location after the 1958 atlanta temple bombing 134757068
William Berry Hartsfield, Sr. (March 1, 1890 – February 22, 1971), was an American politician who served as the 49th and 51st Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. His tenure extended from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1962, making him the longest-serving mayor of his native Atlanta, Georgia.
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 Hartsfield's honor as well as 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. In 1957, he won election to his last term as mayor by defeating the staunch segregationist and future Governor Lester Maddox.
Willie B., a gorilla that became a popular attraction at Zoo Atlanta for decades, was named for Hartsfield.
Hartsfield was also a strong activist to permit unathletic children to play sports. Hartsfield also received an honorary degree in Doctor of Laws from Oglethorpe University in 1961.
