Cecil Alexander Jr.

(1918 - 2013)

A noted architect and civic leader, Cecil Alexander Jr. was born in Atlanta in 1918. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology, completed his degree in architecture at Yale University, and undertook additional graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later attended Harvard University and earned a graduate degree in architecture.

His studies were interrupted in 1941, when he joined the U.S. Navy to become an aviator. He volunteered for the Marines, flew 60 missions, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Alexander began his career in New York City, but soon returned home to Atlanta. In 1948, Alexander and Bernard Rothschild founded the Alexander and Rothschild architectural firm and later merged with Finch Barnes and Paschal to form FABRAP. He worked on many high-profile projects including the headquarters for the Coca-Cola Company, Southern Bell, Georgia Power Company, and the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

In the 1950s, Mayor William B. Hartsfield appointed Alexander to chair the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Urban Renewal that focused on building low-income public housing. Alexander became chair of the Housing Resources Committee to mobilize construction for more than 22,000 low-income housing units in the city. Under these auspices, he oversaw several programs designed to move the racially segregated city toward equality.

Alexander formed the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition with civil rights leader John Lewis and helped Rabbi Jacob Rothschild organize a dinner to honor Martin Luther King Jr. after his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Alexander was honored with many awards and recognition from the community, including the America Institute of Architects’ Whitney M. Young Jr. Award for improving race relations, the Ivan Allen Award for community service, and the Yale Medal for distinguished alumni. He passed away at the age of 95.