Francois P. Giraud

American politician

Francois P. Giraud


136th Mayor of San Antonio
In office 1872–1875
Preceded by	S. G. Newton
Succeeded by	James H. French

Personal details
Born	(1818-06-01)June 1, 1818 Charleston, South Carolina, US
Died	May 8, 1877(1877-05-08) (aged 58) San Antonio, Texas, US
Resting place	San Fernando Cemetery #1 29°24′55″N 98°30′40″W / 29.4152333°N 98.5111286°W / 29.4152333; -98.5111286 (Francois P. Giraud grave)
Spouse	María Apolinaria Treviño
Occupation	Architect Surveyor Engineer Builder

Francois P. Giraud (June 1, 1818, in Charleston – May 8, 1877, in San Antonio), also known as Francis P. Giraud, was an American politician. He was mayor of the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas.

Personal life

Giraud was born to French immigrants Francois and Adele Giraud in Charleston, South Carolina. The family moved to San Antonio c1847. He attended Maryland's Mount St. Mary's University and furthered his education in Paris, France.^[1] He was married to María Apolinaria Treviño.

Career

Giraud was the architect of Ursuline Academy, St. Mary's University and the reconstruction of the Cathedral of San Fernando.^[2] He was the first surveyor for the city of San Antonio and defined the boundaries for San Pedro Springs Park in 1851. He also defined the boundaries for the San Antonio Missions.^[1]^[3] A 19th century city surveyor book was found in 2011 that contained an 1849 plat map of the city drawn by Giraud.^[4]

He was a San Antonio city alderman 1857 – 1858. He became mayor of San Antonio in 1872, succeeding the outgoing Mayor Wilhelm Thielepape, and served in that capacity until 1875.^[5]

Death and legacy

Giraud died in San Antonio on May 8, 1877, and is buried at San Fernando Cemetery #1. His biography, F. Giraud and San Antonio, was written by San Antonio artist and civic activist Emily Edwards.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Clark Jr., John W. "Francois P. Giraud". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
^ Gaines, Ann Graham. "San Fernando Cathedral". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
^ Stover R.L.A., Scott E. "San Pedro Springs Park, Texas" (PDF). Design (Winter 1996). U. S. Department of the Interior: 6, 7. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
^ "San Antonio Preservation Newslink" (PDF). City of San Antonio. March 2011. p. 7. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
^ Flores, Roger O. (February 6, 2007). "Public hearing will consider naming of City's Development and Business Services Center". City of San Antonio. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
^ Edwards, Emily (1985). F. Giraud and San Antonio. Southwest Craft Center. OCLC 13515039.