Our school, Milner Middle, is named after Thirman L. Milner, a democratic politician who served as the 62nd Mayor of Hartford and was the first popularly elected black mayor in New England.
Milner was born and raised in Hartford. His birthday is on October 29, 1933. After high school he attended New York University, initially wanting to major in pharmacy. While in college, a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. inspired Milner to pursue a life of public service.
In 1981, Thirman Milner defeated the current mayor, George A. Athanson in the Democratic primary election. Milner was elected mayor in a three way race against Independent Robert F. Ludgin and Republican Michael T. McGarry. Milner won re-election in 1983 and again in 1985.
After serving three terms as mayor of Hartford, Milner was elected to a single term in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing the seventh district. He served on the Connecticut Senate starting in 1992 to 1994.
Mayor Milner is also the author of Up from Slavery: A History from Slavery to City Hall in New England.
