Encyclopedia article about William B. Hartsfield, mayor of Atlanta from 1937 to 1941 and from 1942 to 1961. Hartsfield is credited with developing Atlanta into the aviation powerhouse that it is today and with building its image as "the City Too Busy to Hate." Hartsfield was educated in the Atlanta public school system but did not finish high school or attend college. Hartsfield was the secretary and law clerk. He worked in the law offices during the day and read legal journals and books at night. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar on July 7, 1917, opening his own law office in 1921. Following his service as mayor, Hartsfield became a consultant for the Coca-Cola Company, the Trust Company of Georgia, and the Georgia Power Company. He also was an editorial commentator on WSB television and president of the Southeastern Fair Association.

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Cite as: "William B. Hartsfield (1890-1971)," New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved [date]: http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org.

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Forms part of the New Georgia Encyclopedia.