Wilder, L. Douglas (1931-…), was the first African American to be elected governor of a state in the United States. Wilder, a Democrat, served as the chief executive of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. From 2005 to 2009, Wilder served as mayor of Richmond, Virginia.
Lawrence Douglas Wilder was born on Jan. 17, 1931, in Richmond. His father’s parents were slaves. Wilder graduated from Virginia Union University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Wilder received a Bronze Star for bravery during the Korean War (1950-1953). He earned a law degree in 1959 from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and soon became a successful trial lawyer in Richmond. In 1969, Wilder became the first African American elected to the Virginia Senate since 1877, when federal control ended after the American Civil War. In 1985, he won election as lieutenant governor of Virginia. He served as lieutenant governor from 1986 to 1990. He was elected governor in 1989 and took office in 1990. Also in 1990, Wilder was awarded the Spingarn Medal for his achievements in politics.
