Evans, Melvin H. (Melvin Herbert), 1917-1984

Dates:

Birth 1917-08-07

Death 1984-11-27

Gender:

Male

Nationality: Americans

Language: English

Biographical notes:

Melvin Herbert Evans (August 7, 1917 – November 27, 1984) was an U.S. Virgin Islands politician, who served as the appointive, and the first elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 to 1975. After serving as governor he was delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1981.

Evans was born in Christiansted in Saint Croix, and attended Howard University, Washington, D.C. and the University of California, Berkeley. He was the Virgin Islands Health Commissioner, and appointed Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, serving from 1969 until 1971. He was the first elected Governor in 1970 and served from 1971 until 1975. Evans was a Republican National Committeeman and served as a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention and 1976 Republican National Convention.

On November 7, 1978, Evans was elected Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from U.S. Virgin Islands as a Republican. He defeated Democrat Janet Watlington, an aide to outgoing Del. Ron de Lugo, with 10,458 votes, or 52% of the vote. Evans served as Delegate in the House from January 3, 1979 to January 3, 1981. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980, losing to former Delegate Ron de Lugo. Evans was appointed United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and served until his death. He is interred in Christiansted Cemetery in Saint Croix.