Samuel T. Williamson

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Samuel Thurston Williamson (1891–1962) was an American journalist, biographer, and book reviewer. Williamson co-founded Newsweek magazine in 1933[1] and then served as its first editor-in-chief (1933–1938).[2]

Early life and education

Williamson was born in a coastal area of Maine in 1891. After graduating from

Morristown School (now Morristown-Beard School) in Morristown, New Jersey in 1912. He then received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1916.[3] In 1920, Williamson served on the Executive Committee of a $500,000 fundraising campaign to establish an endowment at Morristown School.[4]

Journalism career

Williamson began his journalism career as a reporter at

After traveling from Constantinople to Paris, Williamson returned to the U.S. with French statesman Georges Clemenceau, who served as Prime Minister of France between 1917 and 1920. Sailing forth on the Steamship Paris, they toured the U.S. together during Clemenceau's lecture circuit. Clemenceau lectured about France's position in the postwar adjustment of Europe.[5]

Williamson later served as a member of the editorial staff of the

Gannett Company, Inc.
, which later became the largest U.S. publisher of newspapers.

Military service during World War I

After receiving training at the Officers' Training School in

Meuse-Argonne Offensive.[6]

Family life

Williamson married Cora Mancia Chase, a

Florence Hardy, Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty, and Postmaster General Harry S. New. President Harding sent Chase a bouquet of flowers from the White House conservatories, and he mailed the couple a telegram: "Mrs. Harding joins in most hardy congratulations and most cordial wishes to yourself and bride. We shall be glad to have you share with Mrs. Williamson the high regard we hold for you."[5]

Works

  • Frank Gannett: A Biography (1940)
  • How to Write Like a Social Scientist (1947)
  • Imprint of a Publisher, the story of Frank Gannett and his independent newspapers (1948)
  • The Road Is Yours; The Story of the Automobile and the Men Behind It (with Reginald M. Cleveland) (1951)

References

  1. ^ Kenneth T. Jackson; Lisa Keller; Nancy Flood, eds. (2010). "M". The Encyclopedia of New York City: Second Edition. Yale University Press. "The year 1933 marked the introduction of Newsweek by Thomas Martyn and Samuel Williamson, and of United States News (later U.S. News & World Report)."
  2. ^ a b c "Samuel T. Williamson, 70, Dies; Long on the Sunday Staff". The New York Times. 19 June 1962.
  3. ^ Harvard University, ed. (1912). Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Volume 15.
  4. ^ "$500,000 Sought by School; Morristown Institution to Start Campaign for Endowment Fund". The New York Times. 4 June 1920.
  5. ^ a b c "Cora Chase weds S. T. Williamson; Metropolitan Opera Diva Marries Member of New York Times Washington Bureau". The New York Times. May 6, 1923.
  6. ^ Frederick Sumner Mead, ed. (1921). Harvard's Military Record in the World War. Boston, Mass., The Harvard alumni Association.