Former speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives dies after life of scholarship

K. Leroy Irvis was a modern renaissance man.

The poet, sculptor, activist and politician… K. Leroy Irvis was a modern renaissance man.

The poet, sculptor, activist and politician died Thursday morning at the age of 89. Irvis became the fist black speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and the first in any state since Reconstruction.

Irvis worked with more than 1,600 pieces of legislation during his three-decade career in Pennsylvania politics. However, it wasn’t just in politics that he excelled. He brought people, communities and races together.

“K. Leroy Irvis had a touch for the common man,” said Laurence Glasco, an assistant professor of history at Pitt who is working on a biography of Irvis. “He lived in the toughest part of the Hill District. He wanted to be a common man. He was a person who could speak to anyone.”

Although Irvis was a superb orator and politician, he is remembered as a scholar and craftsman. He loved to build model airplanes, read Shakespeare and study politics. Irvis crafted authentic African masks and figurine sculptures in his spare time and he published a book of poetry.

Irvis graduated fourth in his class from Pitt’s Law School in 1954 and was elected to the legislature in 1959. He served 15 consecutive terms and became speaker of the House in 1977. During his tenure, he made friendships that crossed political barriers and obstacles.

After Irvis became sick with cancer, Glasco said the current state legislature sent him a get-well card.

“Just to read these tributes was amazing,” he said. “There were over 100 names and notes from people that didn’t know him. There is truly an affection for him that is sincere.”

A state building in Harrisburg was renamed for Irvis in 2003, and the K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room in Hillman Library contains journals, poetry and paintings from the famous politician.

Above all, he worked to create equal opportunities for white and black alike in Pennsylvania. He championed civil rights and equality, fairness and respect.

“He did so many things that transcended race,” Glasco said. “He was a renaissance man. He transcended barriers, always looking for a way to bring people together. His strategy worked.”