William Lindsay White
Encyclopedia
William Lindsay White American journalist, was the son of newspaper editor William Allen White
. White grew up in Emporia, Kansas
, went to the nearby University of Kansas, and then transferred to and graduated from Harvard College
. After completing his course of studies at Harvard, he succeeded his father as editor of The Emporia Gazette upon his father's death. Among White's most noteworthy books are They Were Expendable
and Lost Boundaries
.
on June 17, 1900. W. L., or "Bill," had a younger sister, Mary, who was killed in a horse-riding accident at the age of 16 in May of 1921. Editor White groomed his only surviving child for work in journalism, hoping for his son to take the reins of The Emporia Gazette one day. White took 18-year-old Bill to France to witness the signing of the Treaty of Versailles
ending World War I
.
Eventually, William Allen White persuaded his son to return to Emporia. After his father’s death in 1944, W. L. took over The Emporia Gazette, where he developed a reputation as a fiercely independent editor. He redesigned the paper and won first place in a national design contest.
, young Bill was a prominent war correspondent, winning the Overseas Press Club Award. He covered the Blitz in London and broadcast the editorial "The Last Christmas Tree" from war-torn Finland
in 1940.
White's first published book was titled What People Said (1938), which examined the Kansas bond scandal. He wrote 14 books in his career, three of which were made into feature Hollywood films. W.L. was also a radio correspondent for CBS News
, sometimes filling in for Edward R. Murrow
. For most of his later career, William Lindsay White was Roving Editor for Reader’s Digest and published numerous articles in the magazine.
His wife, Kathrine, born in Cawker City, Kansas was a New York sophisticate who had been a fact-checker for Time
magazine and an original staff member for Life
magazine. She seemed to have an air of aloofness and was not the type to attend a quilting bee or gossip around the bridge table. She occasionally showed her compassionate side to others, especially when one of The Emporia Gazette staff was sick or in trouble.
Not only were W.L. and his wife created from a different mold than most in Emporia, their living arrangements also did not sit well with some community members. Though the couple maintained a residence in Emporia, they also had a brownstone in New York City in which they lived for half of the year.
It wasn’t just the couple’s lifestyle that aggravated those in Emporia. W.L. stirred up many battles with the city. For example, when the old courthouse needed repairs, the city decided to build a new one instead. W.L. led a counterattack to repair the old courthouse and lost. The county ended up with its 1950 building, now an annex to the fourth courthouse. W.L. later angered the local chamber of commerce by waging a bitter fight against tax breaks given to companies that relocated to Emporia.
The one issue that made W.L. more enemies than any other was his resistance to urban renewal. He thought urban renewal was for the poor and not meant to provide new buildings for merchants in downtown Emporia. This battle split Emporia and made enemies of former friends throughout the town.
W.L. was also actively involved in politics. He served in the Kansas Legislature
. White also drummed up support for Dwight D. Eisenhower
's run for the Presidency in 1952 and was an active supporter for the presidential campaign of friend Richard Nixon
. When Bob Dole
first ran for the United States Senate
, W.L. threw a dinner party at the Broadview Hotel and brought most of the Eastern Kansas Republican leaders. The dinner was pivotal to Dole's success in his first campaign.
W.L. died of cancer in 1973. Just before his death, the Emporia city commission re-named the 1940 Civic Auditorium in his honor. After his death, a memorial fund was established in his name to plant more trees in Emporia. By the turn of the century, more than 300 trees had been planted with money from this fund. There is also a bronze bust and a sample of his writing in White Memorial Park at Sixth Avenue and Merchant Street in Emporia.
William Allen White
William Allen White was a renowned American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement...
. White grew up in Emporia, Kansas
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
, went to the nearby University of Kansas, and then transferred to and graduated from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
. After completing his course of studies at Harvard, he succeeded his father as editor of The Emporia Gazette upon his father's death. Among White's most noteworthy books are They Were Expendable
They Were Expendable
They Were Expendable is a 1945 American war film directed by John Ford and starring Robert Montgomery and John Wayne. The film is based on the book by William L. White, relating the story of the exploits of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, a PT boat unit defending the Philippines against Japanese...
and Lost Boundaries
Lost Boundaries
Lost Boundaries is a film released in 1949. The film was directed by Alfred L. Werker and starred , Mel Ferrer, and Susan Douglas Rubes. The film is based on the book by William Lindsay White, relating the true story of , a graduate of Rush Medical College whose family passed for white while living...
.
Early life
William Lindsay White was the only son of William Allen and Sallie White, born in EmporiaEmporia
Emporia can be several things:Places in the United States* Emporia, Florida* Emporia, Indiana* Emporia, Kansas* Emporia, VirginiaOther uses* Emporia , an ancient term for Phoenician city-states in north Africa...
on June 17, 1900. W. L., or "Bill," had a younger sister, Mary, who was killed in a horse-riding accident at the age of 16 in May of 1921. Editor White groomed his only surviving child for work in journalism, hoping for his son to take the reins of The Emporia Gazette one day. White took 18-year-old Bill to France to witness the signing of the Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
ending World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Eventually, William Allen White persuaded his son to return to Emporia. After his father’s death in 1944, W. L. took over The Emporia Gazette, where he developed a reputation as a fiercely independent editor. He redesigned the paper and won first place in a national design contest.
The war years
Before America’s entry in World War IIWorld 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...
, young Bill was a prominent war correspondent, winning the Overseas Press Club Award. He covered the Blitz in London and broadcast the editorial "The Last Christmas Tree" from war-torn Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in 1940.
White's first published book was titled What People Said (1938), which examined the Kansas bond scandal. He wrote 14 books in his career, three of which were made into feature Hollywood films. W.L. was also a radio correspondent for CBS News
CBS News
CBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
, sometimes filling in for Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow, KBE was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada.Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, and Alexander Kendrick...
. For most of his later career, William Lindsay White was Roving Editor for Reader’s Digest and published numerous articles in the magazine.
Life in Emporia
Generally, William Allen White was loved by most Emporians, but W.L. was not. He attended Harvard, but while studying there he picked up an English accent. W.L. also wore a monocle and was one of the best-dressed men in the nation – quite a sight among farmers in bib overalls and bankers in off-the-rack suits.His wife, Kathrine, born in Cawker City, Kansas was a New York sophisticate who had been a fact-checker for Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine and an original staff member for Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine. She seemed to have an air of aloofness and was not the type to attend a quilting bee or gossip around the bridge table. She occasionally showed her compassionate side to others, especially when one of The Emporia Gazette staff was sick or in trouble.
Not only were W.L. and his wife created from a different mold than most in Emporia, their living arrangements also did not sit well with some community members. Though the couple maintained a residence in Emporia, they also had a brownstone in New York City in which they lived for half of the year.
It wasn’t just the couple’s lifestyle that aggravated those in Emporia. W.L. stirred up many battles with the city. For example, when the old courthouse needed repairs, the city decided to build a new one instead. W.L. led a counterattack to repair the old courthouse and lost. The county ended up with its 1950 building, now an annex to the fourth courthouse. W.L. later angered the local chamber of commerce by waging a bitter fight against tax breaks given to companies that relocated to Emporia.
The one issue that made W.L. more enemies than any other was his resistance to urban renewal. He thought urban renewal was for the poor and not meant to provide new buildings for merchants in downtown Emporia. This battle split Emporia and made enemies of former friends throughout the town.
W.L. was also actively involved in politics. He served in the Kansas Legislature
Kansas Legislature
The Kansas Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kansas. It is a bicameral assembly, composed of the lower Kansas House of Representatives, composed of 125 Representatives, and the upper Kansas Senate, with 40 Senators...
. White also drummed up support for Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
's run for the Presidency in 1952 and was an active supporter for the presidential campaign of friend Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. When Bob Dole
Bob Dole
Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole is an American attorney and politician. Dole represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996, was Gerald Ford's Vice Presidential running mate in the 1976 presidential election, and was Senate Majority Leader from 1985 to 1987 and in 1995 and 1996...
first ran for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, W.L. threw a dinner party at the Broadview Hotel and brought most of the Eastern Kansas Republican leaders. The dinner was pivotal to Dole's success in his first campaign.
W.L. died of cancer in 1973. Just before his death, the Emporia city commission re-named the 1940 Civic Auditorium in his honor. After his death, a memorial fund was established in his name to plant more trees in Emporia. By the turn of the century, more than 300 trees had been planted with money from this fund. There is also a bronze bust and a sample of his writing in White Memorial Park at Sixth Avenue and Merchant Street in Emporia.
See also
- William Allen WhiteWilliam Allen WhiteWilliam Allen White was a renowned American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement...
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Robert Dole
- Emporia GazetteEmporia GazetteThe Emporia Gazette is a daily newspaper in Emporia, Kansas.The newspaper rose to national attention after William Allen White bought the newspaper for $3,000 in 1895. The paper rose to national prominence and influence in the Republican Party following a White editorial in 1896, "What's the...