Clarence H. Burns

Clarence Henry "Du" Burns (September 13, 1918 – January 12, 2003) was a Democratic politician and the first African American mayor of Baltimore, Maryland in 1987.[1]

For the boxer named Clarence Burns, see Red Burman.

Clarence H. Burns
46th Mayor of Baltimore
In office
January 26, 1987 – December 8, 1987
Preceded byWilliam Donald Schaefer
Succeeded byKurt Schmoke
Personal details
Born
Clarence Henry Burns

(1918-09-13)September 13, 1918
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJanuary 12, 2003(2003-01-12) (aged 84)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEdith Phillips
Alma materLarry London Music School

Early life

Burns was born in Baltimore on September 13, 1918. One of his first jobs was locker room attendant at Dunbar High School, one of the others being picking up newspapers. He got the nickname "Du" for what he would "do" for his community.[2]

Career

Du Burns was first elected to the Baltimore City Council in 1971. He was later elected City Council President in 1983, defeating Mary Pat Clarke in the election.[3] 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, once more falling second to Schmoke for the primary.[4]

In 1991, a new arena on the waterfront near the neighborhood of Canton and Chestertown was named in Burns' honor.[5][6] In 2014, the field received a renovation deal of 20 years, worth up to $1.5 million.[7]

Personal life

Burns was Catholic, an active member of Historic St. Francis Xavier Church.[8]

References
  1. "Clarence H. Du Burns, first black mayor of Baltimore". Baltimore Sun. February 21, 2007. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  2. Phillips, W. F. (August 10, 2011). "The Black Community & Mayor Clarence H. "Du" Burns". Wendells Write. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  3. McLeod, Ethan (May 6, 2019). "After decades serving on city council, Mary Pat Clarke and Ed Reisinger are retiring". Baltimore Fishbowl. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  4. "1991 Baltimore City Election". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  5. "Clarence H. "Du" Burns Arena". Roadtrippers. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  6. www.mapquest.com https://www.mapquest.com/us/maryland/clarence-h-du-burns-arena-453818827. Retrieved October 2, 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. "City to OK 20-year deal for Du Burns Arena, $1.5 million field upgrade". Baltimore Sun. November 11, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  8. O'Mara, Richard (February 7, 1999). "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.


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