Bennett Stewart
*On this date, Bennett McVey Stewart was born in 1912. He was a Black high school principal, professor, and a former U. S. Representative.
Born in Huntsville, Alabama, he received his undergraduate degree from Miles College in 1936. He returned there to teach for two years until 1940. Stewart was the State of Illinois Director of Insurance for eighteen years. He retired and become an inspector for the Chicago Building Department. This position led to involvement in politics; after Ralph Metcalfe died in 1978, Stewart was chosen to fill the vacancy. A year later, he was elected to the Ninety-sixth Congress, serving on the Committee on Appropriations.
He sought federal funds for the then financially troubled Chrysler Corporation and heating assistance for low-income citizens. He was defeated in 1980 by Harold Washington. He resided in Chicago until his death in April of 1988.
Black Americans In Congress 1870-1989.
Bruce A. Ragsdale & Joel D. Treese
U.S. Government Printing Office
Raymond W. Smock, historian and director 1990
E185.96.R25
