Robert Henley
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Robert H. Henley (born 1843 - died April 22, 1873) was the first mayor of Birmingham taking office on December 19, 1871, the day of Birmingham’s incorporation.
Henley was appointed mayor by then-governor Robert B. Lindsay, as the developers of the new city did not wish to entrust the largely itinerent population with electing a worthy mayor. He also founded of the city’s first newspaper, the Birmingham Sun in 1871.
Henly took sick early in 1872 and travelled to Florida. In his absence, he appointed W. J. McDonald, then serving on the Birmingham Board of Aldermen, to act as mayor in his absence. Henley died in office on April 22, 1873 at the age of 30. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
| Preceded by: none |
Mayor of Birmingham 1871 - 1872 |
Succeeded by: W. J. McDonald (acting) |
| Preceded by: W. J. McDonald (acting) |
Mayor of Birmingham 1872 - 1873 |
Succeeded by: J. R. Powell |
References
- Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce (1976) Century Plus: A Bicentennial Portrait of Birmingham, Alabama 1976 Birmingham: Oxmoor Press, p. 16.
- Oak Hill Cemetery. 13 Jul 2006 [1].