Logan, George L.
(born: February 27, 1929)George Leslie Logan was a historian and educator, and a civil rights activist. He fought to make Martin Luther King Day a state holiday in Kentucky. He was one of the first African American students at the University of Kentucky in 1952. His experiences as a UK student are talked about in his oral history recording (see attachment). George L. Logan taught school at the original Dunbar High School in Lexington, KY, starting in 1957. He was later the first African American professional in the Kentucky Department of Education to be the state Director of the Drivers Education Supervisors. He also led the Lexington Planning Commission Board as vice president and as president.
George L. Logan had many skills. He was employed at the United Nations in Vietnam leading up to the Vietnam War. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. He taught Russian and American history at the University of the Philippines. Logan was a graduate of Kentucky State University where he received his B.A., majoring in history and economics. He was also a graduate from the University of Kentucky where he earned his master's degree in history.
Logan was a member of Omega Psi Phi. In 1968, he was on the planning committee of the fraternity's talent hunt program that held a contest that was a scholarship fundraising event in Lexington. In 1990, Logan ran unsuccessfully for the Kentucky House of Representatives, 77th District. He lost to Louie Mack and David L. VanHorn in the May primary.
George L. Logan was born in Stanford, KY, the son of James and Mary Woodford Logan.
For more see Saving Stories: Ky. Civil Rights Hall of Famer George L. Logan by Alan Lytle, a UK WUKY webpage; "City school system adds 47 teachers to complete staff," Sunday Herald-Leader, 08/18, 1957, p.53; "The Talent hunters," Sunday Herald-Leader, 03/10/1968, p.15; Unofficial primary results from voting in Kentucky," Lexington Herald-Leader, 05/30/1990, p.A7.
