John Shively Knight was an American newspaper publisher and editor based in Akron, Ohio.
Background
Knight was born in Bluefield, West Virginia, to Charles Landon Knight and Clara Irene Shively. In 1920 he started at his father"s newspaper, The Akron Beacon Journal, as sportswriter, and moved up to managing editor before inheriting the paper in 1933.
Education
Known to his family and friends as "Jack," he attended Cornell University but never graduated, leaving early to enlist in the Army.
Career
However, he later received the degree of "War Alumnus." In 1923, served as the fourth president of the Akron Host Lions Club. Beginning a nationwide expansion, bought the Miami Herald in 1937. His national Newspapers chain, headquartered in Akron, eventually also included the Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Daily News, Charlotte Observer, Tallahassee Democrat, Lexington Herald and Leader, and Macon Telegraph.
During the latter part of World World War II, took a leave from the newspaper business, serving as Director of the United States. Office of Censorship, in London.
By 1973, his portfolio included fifteen newspapers. A year later, 1974, he merged his company with Ridder Publications to form -Ridder Newspapers Incorporated.
Lieutenant John South., Junior. was killed in action near Münster, Germany on March 29, 1945. Youngest son Frank McLain died at age thirty on March 9, 1958 following emergency brain surgery.
In retirement, John devoted much of his time to the raising of Thoroughbred race horses at his Fourth Estate Stable based in Miami. died of a heart attack in Akron.
The John South. Auditorium is a large lecture hall in Leigh Hall, a building on the campus of the University of Akron. The John South. Reading Room is located in Bierce Library, a building on the campus of the University of Akron. The John South. Center is a large convention center in downtown Akron.
The John South. Institute for Writing in the Disciplines at Cornell University.
Achievements
Membership
While at Cornell he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
Recipient Frank M. Hawks Memorial trophy, 1947, citation of merit from Poor Richard Club, 1946, gold medal of achievement, 1972. Honor award distinguished service journalism U. Missouri 1949. Brotherhood of Children award, 1946.
Medal for achievement in journalism Syracuse University, 1946. La Prensa award, 1954, American’s Foundation award, 1959, John Peter Zenger award, 1967, Pulitzer prize for distinguished editorial writing, 1968. Carr Van Anda award Ohio U., 1970.
William Allen White award of journalistic merit, 1972. Fourth Estate award National Press Club, 1976. Others; cited Outstanding Chicagoan in Inter-American relations United States-Uruguay alliance, 1952.
Established Knight Memorial Fund commemorating his father. La Prensa Scholarship furthering Inter-American understanding.
Recipient Frank M. Hawks Memorial trophy, 1947, citation of merit from Poor Richard Club, 1946, gold medal of achievement, 1972. Honor award distinguished service journalism U. Missouri 1949. Brotherhood of Children award, 1946.
Medal for achievement in journalism Syracuse University, 1946. La Prensa award, 1954, American’s Foundation award, 1959, John Peter Zenger award, 1967, Pulitzer prize for distinguished editorial writing, 1968. Carr Van Anda award Ohio U., 1970.
William Allen White award of journalistic merit, 1972. Fourth Estate award National Press Club, 1976. Others; cited Outstanding Chicagoan in Inter-American relations United States-Uruguay alliance, 1952.
Established Knight Memorial Fund commemorating his father. La Prensa Scholarship furthering Inter-American understanding.