Clarence H. "Du" Burns (1918-2003)
MSA SC 3520-12490
Biography:
Born Clarence Henry Burns, September 13, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland. Son of Clarence and Selena Burns. Attended Baltimore City public schools; Larry London Music School. Staff sergeant, U.S. Army, World War II. Married Edith Phillips. One daughter, Cheryl Turner. Died January 12, 2003, in Baltimore, Maryland. Buried, New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland.
Clarence H. "Du" Burns became to first African American to serve as Baltimore's City Council President and also it's mayor. He was a member of the Baltimore City Council for the 2nd District and council president after Walter Orlinksy stepped down in 1982. As City Council President, he became mayor in 1987 to complete the unexpired term of William Donald Schaefer following his election as governor. Burns held the position for ten months, losing the fall election to Baltimore City State's Attorney Kurt L. Schmoke. Burns ran for mayor again in 1991, but was unsuccessful. He was a founding member of the Women's Democratic Campaign Committee of Maryland in 1946, and later became the president of Eastside Democratic Organization (EDO) of East Baltimore.
The Clarence H. Du Burns Soccer Arena in Canton is named in his honor. In 1997, Burns was honored in the Rising Sun Baptist Church's second tribute to Baltimore seniors. His official portrait was painted by Nathaniel Gibbs and hangs in City Hall in Baltimore along with those of other mayors of the city.
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