Edgar C. Campbell Sr.
American politician
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Edgar Cuthbert Campbell Sr. (November 11, 1902 – September 30, 1987) was an American politician and civil servant in the city of Philadelphia, who served as a member of the city council from 1968 to 1976 and was, at the time of his death, labeled by many as the "dean" of the city's black political leaders. A native of Savannah, Georgia, he moved with his family to Philadelphia around 1920 and soon became involved in local politics. Like the majority of African American voters in that era, he was initially loyal to Republican Party, but he soon switched allegiances and became a Democrat. He worked his way up the party apparatus, culminating in a 1983 stint as acting chair of the city's Democratic committee.
November 11, 1902
Edgar Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party | |
| Acting March 10, 1983 – April 14, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | David Glancey |
| Succeeded by | Joseph F. Smith |
| Member of the Philadelphia City Council At-Large | |
| In office January 1, 1968 – January 5, 1976 | |
| Succeeded by | Earl Vann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edgar Cuthbert Campbell November 11, 1902 Savannah, Georgia, United States |
| Died | September 30, 1987 (aged 84) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Party |
|
| Spouse |
Pearl B. Williams
(m. 1925; died 1974) |
| Children |
|
Early life and family
Childhood and move to Philadelphia
Campbell was born on November 11, 1902, in Savannah, Georgia, his parents' only child.[1] His father, the foreman at a sawmill, lost half of his arm to a workplace accident, and later operated a grocery store.[2]
He attended First African Baptist Church with his mother.[3]
Marriage
In 1923, Campbell met Pearl B. Williams, when the two were members of a wedding party together. Williams, the daughter of a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Campbell married in 1925.[2] She died on September 3, 1974. The couple had two children, who both went on to be active in city politics: Carol Ann and Edgar Jr. (known as "Sonny").
Political career
Campbell served as an aide to Philadelphia City Council President George X. Schwartz and as a Democratic committeeman in the Fourth Ward, eventually becoming its ward leader.[2]
In 1968, Campbell was elected to his first public office at age 65 as an At-Large member of the Philadelphia City Council.[2] After losing the primary for re-election in 1975,[4] Mayor Frank Rizzo agreed to let him run for Clerk of Quarter Sessions Court as a replacement for the primary winner who had since died,[5][6] winning this post in the general election.[7] He was re-elected in 1979 and 1983 to this office.[2]
