Background
Ellis, William Thomas was born on October 25, 1873 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Charles H. and Mary E. (Davis) Ellis.
Ellis, William Thomas was born on October 25, 1873 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Charles H. and Mary E. (Davis) Ellis.
Public school education. Doctor of Laws, Davidson College, 1913, Doctor of Letters, Temple University, 1939.
On staff Philadelphia dailies till 1894. Editor the International Christian Endeavor Organ, 1894-1897. Editor Forward, Presbyterian weekly, 1897-1902.
On editorial staff Philadelphia dailies.
Toured the world investigating social religious and political conditions for syndicate of America newspapers, 1906-1907, 10-11. Toured Chinese famine field, winter of 1906-1907, and by writings raised over million dollars for relief.
At his suggestion in personal interview President Theodore Roosevelt invited Chinese students to America and had government allocate part of Indemnity Fund for their support. Interviewed Delai Lama, Kigng Ibn Saud of Arabia, last Sultan of Turkey, last Caliph of Islam.
Early writer about his friend, Lawrence of Arabia.
Travel in Russia, 1917, reporting revolution and advent of Bolshevism for Sat. Eve. Post; war correspondent Russian, Persian, Caucasus, Rumanian and French fronts, 1917-1918. The only correspondent present at the first all-American action of the War, Battle of Apresmont.
Special correspondent New York Herald and associate newspapers in Balkans, Turkey, Egypt, 1919.
Representative Chicago Daily News and associate newspapers at Conference on Limitation of Armament, Washington, 1921-1922. In Near East for Sat.
Eve. Post and other magazines, 1923.
Made complete tour of Bible lands, identifying real site of Kadeshbarnea in Mid-Sinai, 1925-1926, revisited Sinai, Akaba and Petra, 1930. In Palestine and Near East for Herald-Tribune, 1938.
Has lectured and addressed many conventions, especially of churchmen, in all parts of country. Several seasons on Chautauqua circuits.
Writer of South.S. lessons in syndicate of newspapers, since 1897.
Candidate for Congress, 1922. Secretary commission on Christian publicity Men and Religion Movement, New York, 1912, and edited and largely wrote its volunteer The Church and the Press. Author: Men and Missions.
Billy Sunday—the Manitoba and His Message.
Advertising the Church. Bible Lands Today, 1927.
Pilgrim Fare from Bible Lands, 1940. As the Shepherds Saw lieutenant, 1946.
Contributor magazines; newspaper columnist.
Clubs: Cosmos, National Press, Overseas Writers (Washington).
Married Margaret H. McKinnon, October 3, 1899. Children: Franklin Courtney, MacKinnon, Margaret Amelia.