John David Merwin

John David Merwin (September 26, 1921 – 17 March 2013) was a former politician of the United States Virgin Islands who served in that territory's Legislature, as government secretary (equivalent to lieutenant governor), and as the first native-born governor. He was perhaps the first "politician" to be made governor as previous appointees were primarily men of the military, industry, or non-elected government servants.

John Merwin
Governor of the Virgin Islands
In office September 25, 1958 – January 1, 1961
Preceded by	Walter Gordon
Succeeded by	Ralph Paiewonsky
Personal details
Born	(1921-09-26)September 26, 1921 Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S.
Died	17 March 2013(2013-03-17) (aged 91) Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Yale University

Merwin was born in St. Croix. In the 1950s, he became a member of the legislature, during which time he voted for a 10-year exemption on all taxes for businesses with $10,000 of capitalization ($100,000 for hotels and housing industries) and a 75% reduction in income taxes for those industries. He was an avid campaigner for a USVI representative in the United States Congress.

On December 23, 1957, he was made government secretary. The following year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower nominated him for governor on August 4, Congress approved and he was sworn in on September 25.

As governor, he worked to build a second airport on St. Thomas, but that plan was scrapped by his successor. He also worked to boost tourism by attending tourism conventions and even opened a Department of Tourism office in New York City.

References

• "Virgin Islands Vote Aid to New Business". New York Times. Jun 15, 1957. p. 24.
• "Lebanon Envoy Named". New York Times. Dec 24, 1957. p. 7.
• "J. D. Merwin Is Named For Virgin Islands Post". New York Times. Aug 6, 1958. p. 5.
• "Merwin Is Sworn it as Virgin Isles' Governor". Chicago Daily Tribune. Sep 26, 1958. p. 5.
• "New York Office to Open". New York Times. Jan 22, 1961. p. XX26.
• John D. Merwin (2010). A Life of Friendships. Southern Cross Publications.