Early life and career Collins was born in
Chicago, grew up on the near-north side, and attended Waller High School (now known as
Lincoln Park High School). After high school, Collins served with the
Army engineers in the South Pacific during
World War II. After the war, Collins held positions with the
Cook County sheriff's department, the
Municipal Court system, and the Board of Health, and as administrative assistant to health commissioner prior to being sent to Congress. Collins studied business law at
Northwestern University before entering into politics. From 1964 to 1970, Collins served as a member of the Chicago city council, becoming an alderman in the 24th ward to replace the murdered
Benjamin F. Lewis. Collins was then elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U.S. Rep.
Daniel J. Ronan and reelected to the succeeding Congress and served until his death.
Death and legacy Collins died on December 8, 1972, when
United Airlines Flight 553 crashed on approach to
Chicago Midway International Airport. Collins was a passenger on the flight. His wife
Cardiss Collins was elected to his seat (which had been redistricted to the 7th district) shortly thereafter. Cardiss Collins was the first
African American woman to represent a
Midwestern district in Congress, and served in the House of Representatives from 1973 until her retirement in 1997, a tenure of over 23 years. In April 1976, The
Chicago Public Schools opened
Collins Academy High School, a public neighborhood high school in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood in his honor. ==See also==