Louis C. Miriani was born on January 1, 1897, and passed away on October 18, 1987. He was an American leader who held the position of mayor in Detroit, Michigan, from 1957 to 1962. So far, he is the most recent Republican to serve as Detroit's mayor.

Biography

Miriani graduated from the University of Detroit Law School. He worked as chief counsel and later became director of the Detroit Legal Aid Bureau. He was elected to the Detroit City Council in 1947 and served as council president from 1949 to 1957. In 1957, he became mayor after the death of Albert Cobo and was elected mayor again later that year by a 6:1 vote over his opponent. Miriani is best known for completing large-scale urban renewal projects that were started by the Cobo administration and funded by federal money. He also took steps to reduce the rising crime rate in Detroit. At the time, the United Automobile Workers (UAW), which had great influence, supported Miriani’s reelection, highlighting his focus on "law and order." However, many African-Americans disagreed with the UAW and generally opposed Miriani.

Miriani remained mayor until he lost his reelection bid in 1961 to Jerome Cavanagh, who won largely due to support from African-Americans. During Miriani’s time as mayor, Detroit’s Cobo Hall and other parts of the Civic Center were completed, and the city’s infrastructure was expanded. He returned to the City Council in 1965.

In 1969, Miriani was convicted of federal tax evasion involving $261,000 and spent 294 days in prison. After this, he left politics. Miriani died on October 18, 1987, in Pontiac, Michigan, after a long illness.