Theodore Cross facts for kids

Theodore Lamont Cross II (born February 12, 1924 – died February 28, 2010) was an American lawyer, civil rights activist, publisher, investor, and amazing bird photographer. He lived a very interesting life, helping people, running businesses, and capturing beautiful photos of birds.

Theodore Cross: Early Life and Education

Theodore Cross served as a naval officer during World War II in the Pacific Ocean. After the war, he went to college. He earned a degree in English from Amherst College. Then, he studied law and got his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1950.

Cross's Career in Publishing

After working as a lawyer, Theodore Cross became an entrepreneur. This means he started and invested in businesses. He was especially interested in publishing. He worked professionally in the publishing industry for many years.

In 1983, he and his business partners bought a company called Investment Dealer's Digest. They sold it just three years later for a lot more money than they paid for it! He also tried to buy a very famous publishing company called Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). He was outbid by another famous businessman, Rupert Murdoch.

Theodore Cross also started and edited two important publications. He founded The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. This journal focused on issues for Black students and faculty in colleges. He also founded the Business and Society Review, which looked at how businesses affect society.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Theodore Cross was a strong supporter of civil rights. In 1965, he took time off from his job as a lawyer for Sheraton hotels. He joined the important marches for voting rights. These marches helped make sure all Americans had the right to vote. Later, he even advised presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson on important issues.

Theodore Cross: Bird Photography

Besides his work in law and business, Theodore Cross was a very talented bird photographer. He published two books filled with his amazing photos:

• Birds of the Sea, Shore, and Tundra (1989)
• Waterbirds (2009)

His book Waterbirds received excellent reviews. A famous scientist named E.O. Wilson said that one photo in Waterbirds "is a candidate for the most beautiful illustration of birds in existence, photo or painting." This shows how special his bird photos were!

Later Life and Activism

In 1995, Theodore Cross was chosen to be a member of the American Philosophical Society. This is a very old and respected group that promotes useful knowledge.

He also started a group called Birders United in 2004. This group was formed to protect bird habitats. Bird habitats are the natural places where birds live. The group worked to make sure these important areas were not destroyed.

Works by Theodore Cross

• Black Capitalism (1969)
• The Black Power Imperative (1984)
• Birds of the Sea, Shore, and Tundra (1989)
• Waterbirds (2009)