Richard W. Thompson (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard W. Thompson
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Thompson c. 1902
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| Born | 1865 Brandenburg, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | February 12, 1920 (aged 54–55) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Occupation | Journalist, Clerk |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Evelyn Lucas Ella B Gibbs |
Richard W. Thompson (1865 – February 12, 1920) was an important journalist and public servant. He worked in Indiana and Washington, D.C.. He was an editor for several newspapers, including the Indianapolis Leader, the Indianapolis World, the Indianapolis Freeman, and the Washington D.C. Colored American.
Thompson also wrote for many other newspapers across the country. These included The Washington Post, the Atlanta Age, and Philadelphia Tribune. He worked longest with the Indianapolis Freeman. In 1896, a newspaper called The Leavenworth Herald said Thompson was the "best newspaper correspondent on the colored press."
He worked closely with Booker T. Washington, a famous educator and leader. Thompson also helped Emmett Jay Scott twice. Once in 1903 at the Tuskegee Institute and again in 1918 during World War I. Thompson played a key role in supporting Washington when he faced criticism.
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Richard W. Thompson's Early Life
Richard W. Thompson was born in 1865 in Brandenburg, Kentucky. His father was a minister and passed away in 1872. Later that year, Richard moved with his mother, Jane, to New Albany, Indiana. In 1875, they moved to Indianapolis, where he went to public schools.
Richard was an excellent student. However, he had to leave school early due to health problems. His mother, Jane Thompson, was an important person in her church community in Indianapolis. She passed away in 1900.
Thompson was married twice. His first wife was Ella B Gibbs, a teacher. They married in 1888 and had a daughter named Vivian Lucille Thompson. Ella passed away in 1900. Later, Thompson married Grace Evelyn Lucas in 1901. Grace was also a teacher and sometimes wrote articles for newspapers. Richard and Grace lived in Washington D.C. for most of their lives.
Richard W. Thompson passed away on February 12, 1920, after a health issue. His funeral was held at St. Luke's church.
Starting His Career in Indiana
In 1879, Thompson began writing for the Indianapolis Leader. This was the first black newspaper in Indianapolis. He also worked as a bookkeeper for the Marion County Board of Health. His good work was noticed. He was appointed as a page in the Indiana State Legislature from 1880 to 1881. Many important lawmakers supported him, including Benjamin Harrison, who later became president.
In 1882, he became the city editor of the Indianapolis Leader. He then worked for the Indianapolis Freeman and the Indianapolis World. For the Indianapolis World, he held many roles, including managing editor.
In 1887, he worked as a deputy in the auditor's office for Marion County, Indiana. In 1888, he scored highest on a civil service exam. This led to his appointment as a letter carrier in the Indianapolis Post Office. He worked there until 1893. That same year, he became the managing editor of both the Indianapolis Freeman and the Indianapolis World.
Moving to Washington D.C.
In July 1894, Thompson moved to Washington D.C.. He was appointed as a compositor in the Government Printing Office. By September, he was promoted to chief clerk of the counting division. He was the first black clerk to hold this position. His job was to record all government documents. He even created a new bookkeeping system for the department.
After leaving the printing office, he worked as a clerk in the recorder of deeds office. He also became very involved in the intellectual life of Washington D.C. He continued to write for newspapers, especially the Indianapolis Freeman. In 1895, he wrote a series of articles about the social life of Washington D.C. for the Indianapolis Freeman.
Thompson believed that social classes among black people were based on good character and morals, not on skin color or money. He became friends with many important people in Washington D.C.
Community Involvement
Thompson was active in many community groups. In 1899, he was the recording secretary for the National Afro-American Council. He was also an officer in several black literary clubs. In 1900, he became president of D.C.'s Second Baptist Lyceum. These clubs hosted talks by thinkers and artists and debated important issues. He was elected president of this club three times. He also helped start the Sparta Club in 1902 and was part of the Pen and Pencil Club.
Working with Booker T. Washington
By 1899, Thompson was the managing editor of the Colored American. In the early 1900s, he ran the Negro Press Bureau. This was a news service that sent stories to black newspapers. Booker T. Washington secretly helped fund this service. It was one of Washington's main ways to share his ideas with black editors. Thompson's connection to Washington also helped him get positions in the federal government.
In 1903, Thompson received money from Washington to write articles that supported Washington's views. Thompson said he could influence five newspapers to support Washington's interests.
Disagreement with William H. Ferris in 1903
Some members of the black press criticized Booker T. Washington. Important critics included William Monroe Trotter and William H. Ferris. In January 1903, Ferris spoke in Washington D.C. criticizing Washington. In response, Richard W. Thompson spoke in support of Washington on January 25. Thompson explained Washington's principles, focusing on education and hard work as ways for black people to improve their lives.
The debate continued at other meetings. Thompson's articles supporting Washington were published in many newspapers. In early 1903, Thompson moved to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He became an assistant to Emmett Scott, who was Booker T. Washington's private secretary. After six months, Thompson received a civil service job in Indiana.
Continuing to Work with Washington
The disagreements in the African-American community continued. Thompson's role as a journalist remained very important. In 1905, W. E. B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter started the Niagara Movement. This group opposed racial segregation and wanted equal rights. They disagreed with Booker T. Washington's approach of working with the system. Washington asked Thompson and other journalists to ignore the Niagara Movement. Thompson did so, believing that even opposing it would give it too much attention.
The Colored American newspaper closed in 1906. Washington then supported the Washington Bee newspaper, even though its editor, W. Calvin Chase, had opposed Washington before. Thompson continued to work closely with Washington for the rest of Washington's life. In 1909, he traveled with Washington through South Carolina, helping him and writing about his work.
Dispute with Calvin Chase
Calvin Chase, the editor of the Washington Bee, often disagreed with Thompson. In 1909, Thompson helped create the National Negro Press Association. He served as its president twice. In 1910, Chase attacked this organization. He called Thompson "an editor without a paper." Thompson replied that Chase's Bee was "a paper without an editor."
Thompson continued to work for the federal government. In 1911, he transferred to the Treasury Department. Chase and the Bee continued to argue with Thompson for some time. However, by 1918, the Bee reported that a judge praised Thompson as "one of the greatest colored journalists in the country." After Thompson's death, Chase even supported Thompson's daughter, Vivian, in her efforts to become a teacher.
Assistant in the War Department
In August 1918, during World War I, the United States War Department grew larger. Emmett J. Scott became a special assistant to the Secretary of War. Richard W. Thompson was one of the assistants brought in to help Scott. Their department focused on the needs of black soldiers and civilians during the war. Scott and Thompson worked in the War Department until January 1920, when Thompson fell ill. He passed away on February 12, 1920.
