W. Haydon Burns

William Haydon Burns (born March 17, 1912 in Chicago , Illinois , † November 22, 1987 in Jacksonville , Florida ) was an American politician and from 1965 to 1967 the 35th governor of the state of Florida.

Early years and political advancement

In 1922, Haydon Burns came to Jacksonville, Florida with his family. There he graduated from high school before going to Babson College in Massachusetts . Then he ran a flight school. During the Second World War he was a technical officer in the Department of the Navy in Washington, DC After the war Burns opened a consulting firm in Jacksonville. In 1949 he was elected Mayor of Jacksonville. After a few re-elections, he held this office until 1965. This means that he still holds the record in office of the mayor of this city. Jacksonville experienced a huge boom during his tenure. Burns promoted his city nationally and internationally and managed to attract some important companies. Insurance companies in particular moved their headquarters to Jacksonville. At that time, a new courthouse was built and new sports arenas were built. But he also had to deal with race riots, although generally less severe in Florida than in other southern states; Nevertheless, riots broke out in Jacksonville in August 1960.

Florida governor

Haydon Burns was so popular as mayor of Jacksonville that in 1964 he dared to run for governor. After his successful election, he began his two-year term on January 5, 1965. Typically, a Florida governor's tenure is four years. In 1964, however, the state constitution was changed in Florida. They did not want the gubernatorial election to take place in the same year as the US presidential election. For this reason this one term of office was shortened by two years. During his tenure, the state's constitution was revised. Burns also campaigned for tax reform and promoted the country's industrial development. In 1966 he ran for re-election. This led to internal disputes. The more conservative Burns competed against the somewhat more liberal Robert King High from Miami and his Democratic Party split into two opposing factions. Eventually, High got the nomination, but Burns refused to support him in the actual election. Due to this internal conflict, the Republican Claude Roy Kirk was elected as the new governor. This was the first time since 1874 that Florida was a Republican head of government.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended on January 3, 1967, he turned to his private affairs and his consulting firm. In 1971 he tried unsuccessfully to be re-elected mayor of Jacksonville. William Burns died in 1987. He had three children with his wife Mildred.

Web links

Commons : W. Haydon Burns - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

personal data
SURNAME	Burns, W. Haydon
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Burns, William Haydon (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	March 17, 1912
PLACE OF BIRTH	Chicago , Illinois
DATE OF DEATH	November 22, 1987
Place of death	Jacksonville , Florida