Leon Mathis Despres (February 2, 1908 – May 6, 2009) was an American author, attorney and politician. He was best known as a long-time alderman in Chicago, where he regularly disagreed with then-mayor Richard J. Daley, often engaging in loud arguments and debates on the assembly floor.[1]
A native of Chicago, Despres received his undergraduate and law degrees in 1927 and 1929, respectively, from the University of Chicago, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, before beginning a legal practice.[2]
Careeredit
In April 1955, Despres was elected to the Chicago City Council from the city's Hyde Park neighborhood, as alderman of the 5th ward.[3] Serving until 1975, Despres gained fame as an independent Democrat, consistently opposing the policies of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. In 1963, a young Bernie Sanders worked on Despres' reelection campaign.[4] Frequently on the short end of 49-1 votes, Despres became known as the "liberal conscience of Chicago."[2] Because of his strong advocacy of civil rights and open housing, Despres also became known as "the lone negro on the City Council," even though he was white and the council had six black alderman allied with the mayor.[3]
On December 26, 1967, Despres was shot in the leg by two men in an alley. Characteristic of his political beliefs, he refused to blame the assailants and instead blamed poor social conditions.[5]
In his final years Despres lived in Hyde Park and remained active in civic life.[2] In 2005, he received the Benton Medal from the University of Chicago.[2] Up until his death, Despres still maintained an office at the Chicago firm of Despres, Schwartz, and Geoghegan, managed by longtime colleague, Chicago labor lawyerThomas Geoghegan.[3]
Life and workedit
Despres spoke five languages, served as Chicago City Council Parliamentarian for eight years after 20 years of service to the city. Despres authored Challenging the Daley Machine, A Chicago Alderman's memoir.[3]
Deathedit
Despres died of heart failure in his Hyde Park home on May 6, 2009, at the age of 101.[6]
Referencesedit
^. Chicago Maroon. May 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
^ abcd"Education". The University of Chicago Chronicle. October 2005. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
^ abcdWilgoren, Jodi (2005-05-31). "City Council". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
^Matyus, Allison (September 28, 2015). . Hyde Park Herald. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
^Fine, Hannah. "Leon Despres, Chicago alderman and civil rights activist with University ties, dead at 101". The Chicago Maroon. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
leon, despres, leon, mathis, despres, february, 1908, 2009, american, author, attorney, politician, best, known, long, time, alderman, chicago, where, regularly, disagreed, with, then, mayor, richard, daley, often, engaging, loud, arguments, debates, assembly,. Leon Mathis Despres February 2 1908 May 6 2009 was an American author attorney and politician He was best known as a long time alderman in Chicago where he regularly disagreed with then mayor Richard J Daley often engaging in loud arguments and debates on the assembly floor 1 Leon DespresCity of Chicago AldermanIn office 1955 1975Preceded byRobert E MerriamSucceeded byRoss LathropConstituency5th wardPersonal detailsBornLeon Mathis Despres 1908 02 02 February 2 1908DiedMay 6 2009 2009 05 06 aged 101 Political partyDemocraticSpouseMarian Alschuler m 1931 died 2007 wbr ChildrenRobert DespresLinda BaskinResidence s Chicago Illinois USOccupationAuthorAttorneyPolitician Contents 1 Background 2 Career 3 Life and work 4 Death 5 ReferencesBackground editA native of Chicago Despres received his undergraduate and law degrees in 1927 and 1929 respectively from the University of Chicago where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa before beginning a legal practice 2 Career editIn April 1955 Despres was elected to the Chicago City Council from the city s Hyde Park neighborhood as alderman of the 5th ward 3 Serving until 1975 Despres gained fame as an independent Democrat consistently opposing the policies of Chicago Mayor Richard J Daley In 1963 a young Bernie Sanders worked on Despres reelection campaign 4 Frequently on the short end of 49 1 votes Despres became known as the liberal conscience of Chicago 2 Because of his strong advocacy of civil rights and open housing Despres also became known as the lone negro on the City Council even though he was white and the council had six black alderman allied with the mayor 3 On December 26 1967 Despres was shot in the leg by two men in an alley Characteristic of his political beliefs he refused to blame the assailants and instead blamed poor social conditions 5 In his final years Despres lived in Hyde Park and remained active in civic life 2 In 2005 he received the Benton Medal from the University of Chicago 2 Up until his death Despres still maintained an office at the Chicago firm of Despres Schwartz and Geoghegan managed by longtime colleague Chicago labor lawyer Thomas Geoghegan 3 Life and work editDespres spoke five languages served as Chicago City Council Parliamentarian for eight years after 20 years of service to the city Despres authored Challenging the Daley Machine A Chicago Alderman s memoir 3 Death editDespres died of heart failure in his Hyde Park home on May 6 2009 at the age of 101 6 References edit Leon Despres Chicago alderman and civil rights activist with University ties dead at 101 Chicago Maroon May 2009 Archived from the original on 2011 01 27 Retrieved 2011 04 15 a b c d Education The University of Chicago Chronicle October 2005 Retrieved 2008 06 03 a b c d Wilgoren Jodi 2005 05 31 City Council The New York Times Retrieved 2008 06 03 Matyus Allison September 28 2015 Bernie Sanders in Hyde Park Hyde Park Herald Archived from the original on January 30 2020 Retrieved December 15 2023 via Wayback Machine Fine Hannah Leon Despres Chicago alderman and civil rights activist with University ties dead at 101 The Chicago Maroon Retrieved 20 September 2016 City Council Chicago Breaking News May 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Leon Despres amp oldid 1190081633, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
