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Biography
Bennett McVey Stewart (August 6, 1912 – April 26, 1988) was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois.
Stewart was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and baptized at Meridianville PB Church. He attended the public schools in Huntsville and Birmingham. He received as B.A. from Miles College in Birmingham in 1936. He worked as the assistant principal of Irondale High School in 1936. He was an associate professor of sociology at Miles College in 1938. He worked as an insurance executive in 1940, and as the Illinois director for an insurance company in 1950. He served as an inspector of the Chicago Building Department in 1968. He was a rehabilitation specialist for the Chicago Department of Urban Renewal in 1968. He was elected to the Chicago City Council as 21st Ward alderman in 1971, and was elected Democratic ward committeeman of the 21st Ward in 1972. He was reelected alderman in 1975 and reelected as ward committeeman in 1976. He was a delegate to the Illinois State Democratic conventions from 1971 to 1978. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1972 and 1976.
Stewart was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-sixth Congress. He failed in his bid for renomination in 1980; Harold Washington, the primary's winner, also won in the general election . He served as administrative assistant to Mayor Jane Byrne of Chicago from 1981 to 1983. He was a resident of Chicago until his death there at age 75.
Stewart was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Mr. Stewart was survived by his wife; two sons, Bennett Jr., and Ronald; a daughter, Miriam Stewart Early; four grandchildren.