John S. Knight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Shively Knight
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| Born | October 26, 1894 |
| Died | June 16, 1981 (aged 86) Akron, Ohio, US
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| Resting place | Rose Hill Burial Park, Fairlawn, Ohio, US |
| Education | Cornell University |
| Occupation | Newspaper publisher & editor |
| Known for | Co-founder of Knight Ridder newspapers & Co-Founder of John S. and James L. Knight Foundation |
| Board member of | Knight Ridder, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Associated Press |
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| Parent(s) | Charles Landon Knight Clara Irene Shively |
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John Shively Knight (born October 26, 1894 – died June 16, 1981) was a very important American newspaper publisher and editor. He was known for building a large newspaper company and helping to create a major foundation.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
John Knight was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. His family and friends called him "Jack."
He went to Cornell University but left early to join the Army. Even though he didn't graduate in the usual way, Cornell later gave him a special degree called "War Alumnus."
Building a Newspaper Empire
In 1920, John Knight started working at his father's newspaper, The Akron Beacon Journal, in Akron, Ohio. He began as a sportswriter. He worked his way up to managing editor. In 1933, he took over the newspaper.
John Knight wanted to grow his newspaper business. In 1937, he bought the Miami Herald. His company, Knight Newspapers, grew to include many newspapers across the country. Some of these were the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Daily News.
During World War II, John Knight took a break from his newspaper work. He served as the Director of the U.S. Office of Censorship in London. This office helped control information during the war.
By 1973, his company owned fifteen newspapers. A year later, in 1974, he combined his company with another one called Ridder Publications. This created a huge newspaper company called Knight-Ridder Newspapers Inc.
John Knight also helped start the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with his brother, James L. Knight. This foundation supports journalism and communities.
Awards and Special Recognition
John Knight received many honors for his work.
- His national newspaper column, "The Editor's Notebook," won him the 1968 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. This is a very famous award for journalists.
- In 1969, he received the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award. He also got an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Colby College.
Family Life
John Knight faced some sad times in his personal life. He lost his first wife, Katherine, and two of his three sons when they were young.
His son, Lieutenant John S. Knight, Jr., was killed in action in Germany in 1945 during World War II. His youngest son, Frank McLain Knight, died at age thirty in 1958 after brain surgery.
Later in life, John Knight spent a lot of time raising Thoroughbred race horses. His horse stable was called Fourth Estate Stable and was based in Miami.
John Knight passed away from a heart attack in Akron.
Places Named After John S. Knight
Several places are named in honor of John S. Knight.
- The John S. Knight Auditorium is a large lecture hall at the University of Akron.
- The John S. Knight Reading Room is in Bierce Library at the University of Akron.
- The John S. Knight Center is a big convention center in downtown Akron.
- The John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines is at Cornell University.
- The John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford help journalists from around the world. These fellowships support new ideas and leadership in journalism. They were started with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
