Beverly Briley (1914–1980) was the first mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. He served three terms as mayor from 1963 to 1975.

Briley grew up in East Nashville and attended Vanderbilt University and Cumberland Law School. In 1932, he became the youngest Tennessean ever admitted to the bar. Briley served in the US Navy during World War II and afterwards ran a successful campaign for county judge (an executive postion) in 1946.

Briley was a champion of metropolitan government and in 1963 won election against Clifford Allen, another longtime Nashville politician, and became the first mayor of what is known as Metro Nashville. In 1966 his primary opponent was the final mayor of the old City of Nashville municipal government, Ben West. Briley was reelected in 1971, again in a runoff. In each of his elections, he was ultimately selected in a runoff after having finshed first in the first round of voting, but short of an absolute majority. He retired in 1975 after having reached the term limit provided for in the Metropolitan Charter.

Briley took a fairly progressive position on the Civil Rights Movement, an important question for mayors of Southern cities at the time. He readily cooperated with black leaders and is generally credited with helping smooth the transition away from racial segregation in Nashville, although it had begun before he assumed office.

His name is honored today in Briley Parkway, a major thoroughfare which runs by the Grand Ole Opry house, and the city-owned Beverly Briley Building, a major component of Nashville's redesigned Public Square. His grandson, Rob Briley, is active in local politics and represents a Nashville district in the state legislature.

External links

• Briley meets with black leadership (http://www.tennessean.com/slideshows/2003/news/civilrights/briley/3.shtml)
• Public Square redesign details (http://www.nashville.gov/finance/Real_Property_Svc/real-property-courthouse-area.htm)