Eugene S. Pulliam
Encyclopedia
Eugene Smith Pulliam was the publisher of the Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis News
from 1975 until his death.
Pulliam began his journalism career as a child, delivering The Lebanon Reporter
and The Indianapolis News. He later had an apprenticeship at the Reporter. After graduating from DePauw University
in 1935, Pulliam worked for the United Press news service - in Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; and Buffalo, New York. He then returned to Indianapolis to serve as news director of WIRE-AM.
He was in the Navy and Naval Reserve during World War II
and retired in 1948 as a lieutenant commander. Pulliam then returned to the Star, serving as aviation editor, assistant city editor and city editor. He was named managing editor of the News in 1948 and became assistant publisher of both papers in 1962 under his father, Eugene C. Pulliam
.
Eugene C. Pulliam died on June 23, 1975, leaving his son to take over the helm. The Star won two Pulitzer Prize
s during the younger Pulliam's tenure - one for a series on police corruption in 1975 and Indiana's medical malpractice system in 1991.
Unlike his father, "Young Gene" was quiet and calm and did not allow his conservative views to leak into the news columns. But he was also a penny-pincher and kept a close eye on the company's budget, except when the accountants suggested charging for obituaries. "People get mentioned in the paper only when they are born and when they die," he once said, "so we're not going to charge them for dying."
Pulliam was married to the former Jane Bleecker and they had three children. Both he and his wife are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery
in Indianapolis.
Pulliam's nephew, Dan Quayle
, became Vice President of the United States
.
Indianapolis News
The Indianapolis News was an evening newspaper published for 130 years, beginning December 7, 1869, and ending on October 1, 1999. At one time it had the largest circulation in the state of Indiana, and was the oldest Indianapolis newspaper in existence....
from 1975 until his death.
Pulliam began his journalism career as a child, delivering The Lebanon Reporter
The Lebanon Reporter
The Lebanon Reporter is a daily newspaper serving Lebanon, Indiana, and adjacent portions of Boone County, Indiana. It is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.The paper's marketing slogan is "Something for Everyone."- External links :* *...
and The Indianapolis News. He later had an apprenticeship at the Reporter. After graduating from DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
in 1935, Pulliam worked for the United Press news service - in Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; and Buffalo, New York. He then returned to Indianapolis to serve as news director of WIRE-AM.
He was in the Navy and Naval Reserve during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and retired in 1948 as a lieutenant commander. Pulliam then returned to the Star, serving as aviation editor, assistant city editor and city editor. He was named managing editor of the News in 1948 and became assistant publisher of both papers in 1962 under his father, Eugene C. Pulliam
Eugene C. Pulliam
Eugene Collins Pulliam was an American newspaper publisher and businessman who was the founder and longtime president of Central Newspapers Inc., a multi-billion dollar media corporation....
.
Eugene C. Pulliam died on June 23, 1975, leaving his son to take over the helm. The Star won two Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
s during the younger Pulliam's tenure - one for a series on police corruption in 1975 and Indiana's medical malpractice system in 1991.
Unlike his father, "Young Gene" was quiet and calm and did not allow his conservative views to leak into the news columns. But he was also a penny-pincher and kept a close eye on the company's budget, except when the accountants suggested charging for obituaries. "People get mentioned in the paper only when they are born and when they die," he once said, "so we're not going to charge them for dying."
Pulliam was married to the former Jane Bleecker and they had three children. Both he and his wife are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery, located at 700 West 38th Street in Indianapolis, is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States at . It contains of paved road, over 150 species of trees and plants, over 185,000 graves, and services roughly 1,500 burials per year. It sits on the highest...
in Indianapolis.
Pulliam's nephew, Dan Quayle
Dan Quayle
James Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....
, became Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
.