Editing Henry Clay Armstrong

{{Infobox Biography
| subject_name   =Henry Clay Armstrong
| image_name     =HenryClayArmstrong.jpg
| image_size     =225px
| image_caption  =
| date_of_birth  =[[January 7]], [[1870]]
| place_of_birth =Notasulga, Alabama
| date_of_death  =[[1950]]
| place_of_death =
| occupation     =[[Mayor of Pensacola]]
| religion       =
| spouse         =Janet Penn Armstrong
| parents        =Henry Clay and Mary Harris Armstrong
| children       =
| signature      =HClayArmstrong-sig.png
| signaturesize  =260px
}}
'''Henry Clay Armstrong''' ([[1870]]-[[1950]]) was an author and educator.  He also served as [[mayor of Pensacola]] from [[1931]] to [[1936]].

Armstrong graduated from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now [[Wikipedia:Auburn University|Auburn University]]) in [[1887]], having studied civil engineering.  He then studied political science at [[Wikipedia:Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University]] before returning to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in [[1889]] to serve as an instructor in English and history.

From February-September [[1890]], Armstrong served as personal secretary to [[William C. Oates]], representative to the U.S. Congress from the third district of Alabama, and future governor of the state.  In September 1890 Armstrong returned to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, where he continued to teach until [[1893]].

From [[1893]]-[[1898]], Armstrong lived abroad, first serving as the United States consul in Grenoble, France, and then moving to Madrid to serve as Secretary of the American Legation.  He then spent some time in Paris before returning to the United States in [[1898]] to serve in the U.S. Army during the [[Wikipedia:Spanish-American War|Spanish-American War]].  For the duration of the war, Armstrong served as a captain in the 3rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry.

In [[1900]], Armstrong came to Pensacola to found the [[Pensacola Classical School]], which he continued to operate for 40 years.

He published a ''[[History of Escambia County, Florida]]'' in [[1930]].

A "Great Floridian" plaque in his honor was placed in the [[Vernon McDaniel Building]] at 215 West [[Garden Street]].<ref>[http://www.flheritage.com/services/sites/floridians/?section=p The Great Floridians 2000 Program]</ref>

==Mayoral ouster==
In [[1936]], Mayor Armstrong, a Democrat, came out in support of the Republican presidential candidate, [[Wikipedia:Alf Landon|Alf Landon]], against incumbent President [[Wikipedia:Franklin Roosevelt|Franklin Roosevelt]].

In a surprise September session, while Armstrong was attending a Republican convention in New York, members of the [[Pensacola City Council]] voted to remove him from office over the matter. He was replaced by [[W. L. Moyer]], who reportedly told the council, "I assure you gentlemen you have elected a good, strong Democrat," but died shortly thereafter.<ref>Lowville N.Y. ''[http://fultonhistory.com/Process%20small/Newspapers/Lowvile%20Ny%20Rebulican/1936/Newspaper%20Lowville%20NY%20Journal%20Republican%201936%20-%20(308).PDF Journal & Republican]'', September 24, 1936.</ref> [[Max Bear]], the only council member opposed to removing Armstrong, was subsequently named mayor pro tem.

{{start box}}
{{succession box | before = [[J. H. Bayliss]] | title = [[Mayor of Pensacola]] | years = 1931-1936 | after = [[W. L. Moyer]]}}
{{end box}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mayors of the City of Pensacola|Armstrong, Henry Clay]]
[[Category:Educators|Armstrong, Henry Clay]] [[Category:Authors|Armstrong, Henry Clay]] [[Category:Democratic politicians|Armstrong, Henry Clay]]