Background
Ralph Moses Paiewonsky was born on 9 November 1907 in St. Thomas, was the son of Jewish immigrant parents.
Ralph Moses Paiewonsky was born on 9 November 1907 in St. Thomas, was the son of Jewish immigrant parents.
He went to local schools, and later to New York University, where he received a chemistry degree.
He was also president of the Virgin Islands Legislative Assembly for some years. He largely dominated Virgin Islands politics during the Kennedy-Johnson period, being appointed governor by President John F. Kennedy and remaining until the end of the Johnson administration. Upon retiring from politics, Paicwonsky pursued a business career in the islands.
Between 1940 and 1960 he was Virgin Islands member of the Democratic National Committee.