Harold Lee Washington ( April 15 , 1922 -- November 25 , 1987 ) was an American lawyer , politician and elected in 1983 as the 51st Mayor of Chicago .
Harold Lee Washington ( April 15 , 1922 -- November 25 , 1987 ) was an American lawyer and politician . He became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago , serving from 1983 until his death in 1987 .