Freeman Bosley, Jr.

Freeman R. Bosley Jr. (July 20, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri - ) was the forty-third mayor of St. Louis (from 1993 to 1997), and the city's first African-American mayor.

Early life and education

Bosley graduated from Central High School in 1972 and went on to attend Saint Louis University and Saint Louis University School of Law. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 1976 with two undergraduate degrees, a B.A. in Urban Affairs and a B.A. in Political Science. He received his Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1979. While a student at Saint Louis University, Bosley was president of the Black Student Alliance and the Black-American Law Students Association, organizations that were formed during the Civil Rights Movement.

Career

Upon graduation from law school, Bosley was staff attorney for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, specializing in Consumer Affairs and Utility Companies. Bosley has also been employed by the law firm of Boast and Jordan.

Bosley was selected as the first African-American St. Louis Circuit Clerk for the 22nd Judicial Circuit, a position he held for ten years.

Politically active, he served as the 3rd Ward Democratic Committeeman. He was chairman of the St. Louis City Democratic Central Association and became the first African-American chairman of the Democratic Party in St. Louis City.

After winning the April 6, 1993 election with 66.5% of the vote, Bosley became the first African-American mayor of St. Louis. Early in his administration, he oversaw the battle against the Flood of 1993.

He helped to orchestrate the $70 million bailout of Trans World Airlines. He also help moved the Los Angeles Rams football team to St. Louis from Anaheim, California. Two property tax increases were passed during the Bosley Administration. Bosley was defeated by Clarence Harmon in the Democratic Primary when he ran for re-election as Mayor in 1997. Bosley also ran unsuccessfully for mayor in the Democratic Primary in 2001.