Robert Henley

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Robert Henley

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 contracted tuberculosis early in 1872 and travelled to Florida to seek a cure. In his absence, he appointed W. J. McDonald, then serving on the Birmingham Board of Aldermen, to act as mayor in his absence. Thomas Tate was appointed to serve the remainder of his term, through December 31, 1872. James Powell, the city's first elected mayor, succeeded him in 1873.

Henley died 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:
James R. Powell

References

  • Vick, Mary-Helen (1965) A Survey of the Governing Body of Birmingham, Alabama, 1910-1964. Master's thesis. Alabama College.
  • 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].