https://www.amazon.com/American-National-Government-Stephen-Early/dp/B0000CMC5F?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0000CMC5F
government official journalist
Stephen Tyree Early was born on August 27, 1889 in Crozet, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Thomas Joseph and Ida Virginia Wood Early. Although Early's family was distantly related to the famed Confederate general Jubal Early, his middle-class background was actually quite remote from the aristocratic Southern tradition evoked by his ancestor's name. When Early was nine, his father, a railway clerk, moved the family to the District of Columbia.
He graduated from high school.
His career in journalism began when he took a job in the Washington office of the United Press. Within a year he was assigned to cover the State, War, and Navy departments. He held this assignment until 1917, although in 1913 he switched to the Associated Press. During this period he met the then assistant secretary of the navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt; and from this time until 1933, when Roosevelt selected him as his press secretary, Early's entire career seemed designed to prepare him for that position.
In 1917 Early enlisted in the army. After combat service as an infantry officer, he was transferred to the staff of the serviceman's weekly Stars and Stripes, eventually becoming its officer in charge. Following his army service, Early embarked on a brief career in public relations, serving for a year beginning in the summer of 1919 as director of publicity for the board of directors of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. The working relationship between Early and Franklin Roosevelt began in 1920 when Early served as advance man in Roosevelt's campaign for the vice-presidency. Although Roosevelt was defeated, Early's efficient performance almost assured their future collaboration.
Following the election, Early rejoined the Associated Press and in 1927 went with Paramount News, a newsreel company, serving as its Washington editor. The knowledge Early gained there of both the newsreel business and the rapidly growing field of radio broadcasting contributed significantly to the good relations he enjoyed with these media during his later public service. Early's career as the nation's first effective presidential press secretary began in 1933 when the newly elected Roosevelt appointed him assistant secretary in charge of press relations.
In 1937 both Early and Marvin McIntyre succeeded to the title of presidential secretary. McIntyre's subsequent illness left Early one of the president's principal aides, as well as his chief adviser on public and press relations. The success of Roosevelt's bold new programs depended on public understanding and sympathy. This support was difficult to win in the traditional ways because much of the nation's press was owned by publishers hostile to the New Deal. The administration's ability to circumvent this opposition was attributable in part to the effective system of public relations that Early established in 1933 and directed until 1938. But even more important to the success of the administration's new programs was the president's capable use, under Early's guidance, of radio and newsreel coverage.
The unmatched rapport Roosevelt achieved with the working press deteriorated as the administration's attention turned to issues growing out of the European war. By 1940 the president's bitterness toward elements of the press, his occasional lack of candor, and the secrecy surrounding defense activities had served to weaken Roosevelt's hold on the press. Yet relations, although strained, remained good.
Early was expert at shaping press policy to the peculiar needs of the working reporters. Through daily news conferences he provided a steady stream of newsworthy information even when nothing of substance or significance could be revealed. He was also adept at suggesting aspects of a story that warranted emphasis and pointing out interpretations that should be avoided. Those who wrote unfairly, in Early's view, might expect his rebuke. But this was not often the case since most of the reporters accepted his guidance.
Early was restive in government service. Working at one of the most grueling and thankless jobs in Washington, he found it increasingly difficult to bear the sacrifice his long hours and comparatively low government salary imposed on his family.
Roosevelt's death in April 1945 provided the release. Although Early stayed on at the White House for a short time as a special assistant to President Truman, in June he accepted the post of vice-president with the Pullman Company. "Retirement" lasted until April 1949.
The newly appointed secretary of defense, Louis Johnson, chose Early as his chief deputy. Johnson hoped that Early might bring order to the defense establishment's information services and revitalize its public image. But Johnson's poor talent for press relations and disorganization at the Pentagon so eroded public confidence in military leadership that Johnson was forced to resign in September 1950.
Early, who had overstayed a leave of absence from Pullman, took the opportunity to return to private employment.
In December 1950 he was once again called to government service when Charles G. Ross's death left Truman without a press secretary at a time when the president was engaged in important international discussions. Early took over for two days until a permanent press secretary was appointed and then retired from government for the last time. In August 1951 Early succumbed to a heart attack at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D. C. He was survived by his wife.
Early's candor, his apolitical professionalism, even his short temper, all conveyed a sense that, loyal as he was to the president, he was always honest with the press.
Quotes from others about the person
Harry Truman issued a statement calling him "an outstanding newspaper man" and "always on the side of President Roosevelt. " Defense Secretary George Marshall said in a statement that he was "very distressed" at the news of his death and he "served his country faithfully for many years. "
He married Helen Wrenn Early, who had been his childhood friend, in September 1921 and they had three children.
