Benjamin F. Lewis
Benjamin Franklin Lewis (December 2, 1909 – February 28, 1963) was an American politician who served as alderman of Chicago's 24th ward from 1958 until he was murdered in his ward office in 1963. The case remains unsolved.
Benjamin F. Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Alderman of the Chicago City Council | |
| In office April 8, 1958 – February 28, 1963 | |
| Preceded by | Vacant, previously Sidney D. Deutsch |
| Succeeded by | Vacant, then George W. Collins |
| Constituency | 24th ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 2, 1909 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | February 28, 1963 (aged 53) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Lewis was a native of Georgia, but a long-time resident of Chicago, and he was the first black political leader of a ward that had been dominated by Jews. He was known for his brash fashion and quick-witted personality, and he lived a luxurious life and was a presumptive future leader of Chicago's black community. There are many possible suspects for his murder, since Chicago's political landscape was notoriously corrupt at the time.
Lewis was fondly remembered in his ward decades after his death for his service to the community, and the City Council designated a section of Pulaski Road as "Benjamin F. Lewis Road" in his honor in 1993.