Description: (Politician, Lawyer)
Harold Washington was an American lawyer and politician known for his historic role as the 51st Mayor of Chicago. He became the city's first African American mayor in 1983, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Illinois's first district. Before his mayoral term, Washington had a background in the Illinois State Senate and House of Representatives. Raised in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, he entered local politics under Chicago Alderman Ralph Metcalfe following his education at Roosevelt University and Northwestern University School of Law.