Richard H. Austin | |
|---|---|
 Richard H. Austin, 1975 | |
| 39th Secretary of State of Michigan | |
| In office January 1, 1971 – January 1, 1995 | |
| Governor | William Milliken James Blanchard John Engler |
| Preceded by | James M. Hare |
| Succeeded by | Candice Miller |
| Wayne County Auditor | |
| In office 1967–1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Henry Austin May 6, 1913 Stout Mountain, Alabama |
| Died | April 20, 2001 (aged 87) Detroit, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ida Austin |
| Children | 1 |
Richard Henry Austin (May 6, 1913 – April 20, 2001) was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as the Michigan secretary of state from 1971 to 1995, the first African American elected to the position, the first to win election to any statewide office in Michigan except the Supreme Court, and the longest-serving Secretary of State in the state. Also, the first Black certified public accountant in Michigan, he previously served from 1967 to 1971 as the first Black Wayne County auditor, and ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Detroit in 1969.