Wesley Augustus Williams
Wesley Augustus Williams (August 26, 1897 - July 3, 1984) was the first African-American officer in the New York City Fire Department. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1927.[1] He was the third African-American man to join the New York Fire Department. He was one of the founders of the Vulcan Society in 1940.[2]
Wesley Augustus Williams | |
|---|---|
 Wesley Augustus Williams in 1915 | |
| Born | August 26, 1897 |
| Died | July 3, 1984 (aged 86) |
| Known for | First African-American officer in the New York City Fire Department |
| Parent(s) | James Henry Williams Lucy Metrash |
Biography
changeHe was born on August 26, 1897 to James Henry Williams (1879-1948) and Lucy Metrash (1881-1932) in Manhattan, New York City.[3]
He wanted to join the New York City Fire Department when he read about Samuel Jesse Battle joining the New York City police department. The first African-American to join the New York City Fire Department was William H. Nicholson, who joined in 1898.[2] Williams had a very high score on his written test.[4] He scored perfect on his physical examination.[4] All firefighter candidates must have a character reference. His was written by former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt.[4] Even so he was put on the waiting list while others were hired ahead of him.[4] Williams finally joined on January 10, 1919. He was assigned to Engine Company 55 in Manhattan, New York City. Williams was promoted to lieutenant in 1927.[5]
He died on July 3, 1984 at the Physicians Hospital in Forest Hills, New York City, he was 86 years old.[1]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wesley A. Williams". New York Times. July 6, 1984. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
Wesley A. Williams, the first black lieutenant in New York City's Fire Department, died Tuesday at Physicians Hospital in Queens. He was 87 [sic] years old and lived in Manhattan.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "History of the Vulcan Society". Vulcan Society. Archived from the original on 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
- ↑ Wesley Augustus Williams in the 1900 United States Census on June 6, 1900 in Manhattan. His mother was born in Connecticut.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Ginger Adams Otis (6 June 2015). "Why So Few of New York's Bravest Are Black". The Atlantic Monthly. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ↑ "The Clash of New York's Irish and Italians, and the City's First Black Firefighter". New York Times. August 7, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
Wesley Williams, who was inspired by Battle, enlisting as a firefighter in 1919. ...