William Haydon Burns was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 17, 1912. While a child his family moved to Jacksonville in 1922. He began his political career as mayor-commissioner of Jacksonville, Florida in 1949. He served five terms in this post until 1964 when he was elected governor. As governor he proposed to expand the state's manufacturing base, to promote the agricultural industry, to establish strong trade with South America, and to complete a barge canal. He opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act while campaigning, but did not try to block its implementation. He supported increased funding for education, the adoption of the quarter system at state universities, and the creation of the University of West Florida and Florida Technological University (now the University of Central Florida).
Burns' term as governor was shortened to two years due to a change in the election cycle. In 1966, as Florida converted to the non-presidential year gubernatorial election, Burns lost the Democratic nomination to Robert King High. After leaving office, Burns returned to his home in Jacksonville. In 1971 he was defeated in his bid to become the city's mayor. Burns died in 1989.
From the description of Correspondence, 1965-1967. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413576
