Richard Arrington Jr.

Richard Arrington Jr.
Arrington (right) with Arizona politician Billy Davis
25th Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama
In office
November 13, 1979 – 1999
Preceded byDavid Vann
Succeeded byBernard Kincaid
Member of the Birmingham City Council
In office
1971–1979
Personal details
Born (1934-10-19) October 19, 1934 (age 90)
Livingston, Alabama
Spouse(s)Barbara Jean Watts (1954–1974)
Rachel Reynolds (1975–)
Children5
ResidenceBirmingham, Alabama
Alma materMiles College (BA)
University of Detroit (ME)
University of Oklahoma (Ph.D)
ProfessionCollege Professor

Richard Arrington Jr. (born October 19, 1934 in Livingston, Alabama) was the first Black mayor of the city of Birmingham, Alabama (U.S.), serving 20 years, from 1979 to 1999. He replaced David Vann and, upon retiring after five terms in office, installed then-City Council president William A. Bell as interim mayor. Bell went on to lose the next election to Bernard Kincaid.