Melvin Herbert Evans (August 7, 1917 – November 27, 1984) was a United States Virgin Islander politician, who served as the appointive and the first elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 to 1975. After serving as governor he was delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1981.
Melvin H. Evans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago | |
| In office January 1, 1982 – November 21, 1984 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Irving G. Cheslaw |
| Succeeded by | Sheldon J. Krys |
| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands' at-large district | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Ron de Lugo |
| Succeeded by | Ron de Lugo |
| Governor of the United States Virgin Islands | |
| In office July 1, 1969 – January 6, 1975 | |
| Lieutenant | David Earle Maas Athniel C. Ottley |
| Preceded by | Cyril King (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Cyril King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melvin Herbert Evans August 7, 1917 Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Died | November 27, 1984 (aged 67) Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Evans |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Howard University (BS, MD) University of California, Berkeley (MPH) |
Evans was born in Christiansted on the island of St. Croix, and attended Howard University, Washington, D.C., and the University of California, Berkeley. He became the Virgin Islands health commissioner and was appointed governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1969. He became the first elected Governor in 1970 and served a four-year term from 1971-75. Evans was a Republican National Committeeman and served as a delegate to the 1972 and 1976 Republican National Conventions.
On November 7, 1978, Evans was elected delegate to the United States House of Representatives from U.S. Virgin Islands as a Republican.[1] He defeated Democrat Janet Watlington, an aide to outgoing delegate Ron de Lugo, with 10,458 votes (52%) to 9,588 votes (48%).[1] Evans served as delegate in the House from January 3, 1979, to January 3, 1981. He was unsuccessful for reelection in 1980, losing to former delegate de Lugo.
Evans was appointed United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and served until his death. He is interred in Christiansted Cemetery on St. Croix.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Feuerzeig, Penny (November 8, 1978). "Luis-Millin, Evans Beats Watlington". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Melvin H. Evans (id: E000254)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Profiles of Outstanding Virgin Islanders[permanent dead link] (includes link to photo)