Richard M. Ketchum
Richard Malcolm Ketchum (1922–2012) was an American historian and magazine editor who co-founded the magazine Country Journal.
Early life
Ketchum was born in
Career
After the war, Ketchum moved to US state
Country Journal
In 1974, Ketchum returned to Dorset, Vermont and adapted a farming lifestyle. There, he became the co-founded Country Journal with William S. Blair.[5][6] The two men shared a commonality in that they both worked in the publishing industry in Manhattan, NYC before moving to the state of Vermont, in which they opted to start a farm.
In 1972, Ketchum and Blair banded together and decided to establish a magazine of their own. Their initial budget was $205,000, which included $170,000 from their friends and $35,000 from the co-founder's savings. With this funding, they kickstarted the magazine production. Country Journal's coverage ranged from guides to opinion pieces on energy policies.[6]
The magazine was originally dubbed Blair & Ketchum’s Country Journal, but later was shortened to Country Journal.
Initially, Country Journal had difficulties earning a profit. Blair said that he was unable to seek advertisers with high budget in mind and often had to compromise for lower prices. Country Journal struggled to attract authors on the more famous side. Ketchum paid relatively low compensation compared to other magazines at the time, with him giving $200 to $500 per article written.[6]
The magazine was popular, reaching a circulation of under 300,000. By 1972, Country Journal had a editorial team of eight.
Late life
Ketchum spent last 4 years of his life at a retirement home in Shelburne, Vermont. He died in January 12, 2012 at the age of 89.[1]
Personal life and legacy
Ketchum had a son and a daughter.[2] Historian Douglas Brinkley has said that Ketchum was "the finest historian of the American Revolution."[9]
Published works
Ketchum was the author of numerous publications involving wars in America.[10] The Borrowed Years, 1938–1941 (1989) describes the events leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.[11] His last book, Victory at Yorktown: The Campaign That Won the Revolution is an account of the battle and unlikely triumph that led to American independence.
Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War is about the invasion where British general
Revolutionary War Books
- 1962: Decisive Day: The Battle for Bunker Hill; 1999 pbk edition. ISBN 0805060995.
- 1973: The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton ISBN 0385054904
- 1974: The World of George Washington ISBN 0828102678
- 1997: Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War
- 2002: Divided Loyalties: How the American Revolution Came to New York
- 2004: Victory at Yorktown: The Campaign That Won the Revolution
Other books
- 1965: The American Heritage Book of Great Historic Places
- 1970: Faces from the Past
- 1970: The Secret Life of the Forest ISBN 0070344183
- 1973: Will Rogers: His Life and Times ISBN 0070344116
- 1989: The Borrowed Years, 1938–1941
Selected articles
- “The Decisive Day Is Come (Battle of Bunker Hill),” American Heritage, August 1962, Volume 13, Issue 5
- "England’s Vietnam: The American Revolution," American Heritage, June 1971, Volume 22, Issue 4
- "The Spirit Of ’54," American Heritage, August/September 2002, Volume 53, Issue 4
References
- ^ a b c d e f Hevesi, Dennis (January 20, 2012). "Richard M. Ketchum Dies at 89; Chronicled the Rural Life". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c "Richard Ketchum Obituary (2012) - Shelburne, VT". The Burlington Free Press. January 15, 2012. Retrieved 2023-04-22 – via Legacy.com.
- ^ a b c d
"Richard M. Ketchum". Profile. Season 4. Episode 420. January 28, 2005. Vermont Public Television. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Author Page for Richard Ketchum". AmericanHeritage.com.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
- ^ ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
- ^ "Country Journal magazine -- a national monthly publication focusing... - UPI Archives". UPI. March 13, 1984. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
- ISBN 0805073965.
- ^ New York Times. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
- ^ "Review of The Borrowed Years, 1938–1941 by Richard M. Ketchum". Publishers Weekly. November 1, 1989.
External links
- American Heritage Author Page (with links to articles by Richard Ketchum)