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List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page tells you about the people who have served as the mayor of Memphis, Tennessee. A mayor is like the main leader of a city. They help make important decisions and keep the city running smoothly.

A Look Back at Memphis Mayors

Memphis has a long history, and its mayors have played a big part in shaping it. Sometimes, the city faced tough times. For example, in 1879, a serious sickness called yellow fever spread through Memphis. Many people left the city because of it.

When Memphis Didn't Have a Mayor

Because so many people left, Memphis actually lost its official city status for a while. This meant it didn't have a mayor from 1879 to 1895. During this time, the city was managed by leaders called "President of the Taxing District." These leaders included David T. Porter (1879-1881), John Overton (1881-1883), David P. Hadden (1883-1891), William D. Bethell (1891-1893), and Walter L. Clapp (1893-1895). Walter L. Clapp then became the first mayor when Memphis became a city again in 1895. You can learn more about this time in the article History of Memphis, Tennessee.

List of Memphis Mayors

Here is a list of the people who have served as mayor of Memphis. Some mayors served more than one term, meaning they were elected again after their first time.

Image Mayor Years Served Notes
Marcus B. Winchester 1827–1829
Isaac Rawlings 1829–1831
Seth Wheatley 1831–1832
Robert Lawrence 1832–1833
Isaac Rawlings
(2nd term)
1833–1836
Enoch Banks 1836–1837
John H. Morgan 1837–1838
Enoch Banks
(2nd term)
1838–1839
Thomas Dixon 1839–1841
William Spickernagle 1841–1842
Edwin Hickman 1842–1845
Brigadier General Jesse J. Finley.jpg Jesse J. Finley 1845–1846
Edwin Hickman
(2nd term)
1846–1847
Enoch Banks
(3rd term)
1847–1848
Gardner E. Locke 1848–1849
Edwin Hickman
(3rd term)
1849–1852
A. B. Taylor 1852–1855
Addison H. Douglass 1855–1856
Thomas B. Carroll 1856–1857
Richard D. Baugh 1857–1861
John Park 1861–1864
Thomas H. Harris 1864
Channing Richards 1864–1865
John Park
(2nd term)
1865–1866
William Lofland 1866–1868
Edgar M. McDavitt 1868
JohnWilliamLeftwich.jpg John W. Leftwich 1868–1869
John T. Swayne 1869
JohnWilliamLeftwich.jpg John W. Leftwich
(2nd term)
1869–1870
John Johnson 1870–1874
John Loague 1874–1876
John R. Flippin 1876–1879
(None) 1879–1895 As explained above, Memphis lost its city status due to a yellow fever epidemic. The city leaders during this time were called "President of the Taxing District."
Walker L. Clapp 1895–1898
Joseph John "JJ" Williams 1898–1906
James H. Malone 1906–1910
E. H. Crump.jpg E. H. "Boss" Crump 1910–1915
George C. Love 1915–1916
Thomas C. Ashcroft 1916–1917
Harry H. Litty 1917–1918
Frank L. Monteverde 1918–1919
Rowlett Paine 1920–1927
Watkins Overton 1928–1939
E. H. Crump.jpg E. H. "Boss" Crump
(2nd term)
1940
Joseph P. Boyle 1940
Walter Clift Chandler (Tennessee Congressman).jpg Walter Chandler 1940–1946
Joseph P. Boyle
(2nd term)
1946
Sylvanus W. Polk, Sr. 1946–1947
James J. Pleasants, Jr. 1947–1949
Watkins Overton 1949–1953
Frank T. Tobey 1953–1955
Walter Clift Chandler (Tennessee Congressman).jpg Walter Chandler 1955
Edmund Orgill 1956–1959
Henry Loeb 1960–1963
Claude Armour 1963
William B. Ingram 1963–1967
Henry Loeb
(2nd term)
1968–1971
J. Wyeth Chandler 1972–1982 He left office to become a judge.
J.O. Patterson Jr., Tennessee state senator and mayor of Memphis.jpg J.O. Patterson, Jr. 1982 He served as a temporary mayor. He was the first African-American mayor of Memphis.
Wallace Madewell 1982
Richard C. Hackett 1982–1991
Rudy Giuliani and Willie Herenton (47479766912) (cropped).jpg W. W. Herenton 1992–2009 He was the first African-American mayor to be elected by the people.
Myron Lowery 2009
(Mayor pro tem)
He was the third African-American mayor. A "Mayor pro tem" is a temporary mayor.
A C Wharton 8b9747d501dc52e57bad57a4997d0e6c (3x4a).JPG A C Wharton 2009–2015 He was the second African-American mayor elected by the people.
Mayor of Memphis Jim Strickland.jpg Jim Strickland 2016–2024
Paul Young 2023.jpg Paul Young 2024–present He is the fifth African-American mayor of Memphis.

See also

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List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.