Kirkland Leroy Irvis | |
|---|---|
 K. Leroy Irvis, speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, delivers a speech. | |
| 79th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| In office May 23, 1977 – January 2, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Herbert Fineman |
| Succeeded by | Jack Seltzer |
| In office January 4, 1983 – November 30, 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Matt Ryan |
| Succeeded by | James Manderino |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 19th district | |
| In office January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1988 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | William Russell Robinson |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Allegheny County district | |
| In office January 6, 1959 – November 30, 1968 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 27, 1919 Saugerties, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 16, 2006 (aged 86) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Katharyne Jones, Cathryn L. Edwards |
| Profession | Politician Teacher |
Kirkland Leroy Irvis (December 27, 1919 – March 16, 2006) was an American educator, activist and politician based in Pennsylvania; he was the first African American to serve as a speaker of the house in any state legislature in the United States since Reconstruction. (John Roy Lynch (1847–1939) of Mississippi had been the first African American to hold that position.) Irvis, a Democrat, represented Pittsburgh in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1958–1988.[1]
- ^ "K. Leroy Irvis National Visionary". National Visionary Leadership Project. Retrieved 27 January 2018.