Rufus Rhodes: Difference between revisions
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Rufus was the son of Rufus Randolph Rhodes, an attorney, and Martha Fisher. He was educated in New Orleans, Louisiana; Cluster Springs, Virginia; and the Southwestern University at Clarksville, Tennessee. After reading law at the office of James Bailey in Clarksville he was admitted to the Tennessee State Bar on his 19th birthday. | Rufus was the son of Rufus Randolph Rhodes, an attorney, and Martha Fisher. He was educated in New Orleans, Louisiana; Cluster Springs, Virginia; and the Southwestern University at Clarksville, Tennessee. After reading law at the office of James Bailey in Clarksville he was admitted to the Tennessee State Bar on his 19th birthday. | ||
In [[1877]] Rhodes was elected City Attorney of Clarksville and represented Montgomery County in the Tennessee Assembly. In [[1882]] he married the former Margaret Smith. | In [[1877]] Rhodes was elected City Attorney of Clarksville and represented Montgomery County in the Tennessee Assembly. In [[1882]] he married the former Margaret Smith. The [[1883|following year]], he and his wife moved to Chicago, Illinois to practice law. | ||
The couple moved to [[Birmingham]] in [[1887]], where Rhodes began his interest in journalism. He initially took a position as editor of ''[[The Daily Herald]]'', but was opposed by the paper's president when he wished to campaign to build a bridge over the [[Railroad Reservation|railroad tracks]] dividing the city. He resigned on [[March 11]], [[1888]] and immediately founded the ''News'', its first edition published on [[March 14]], [[1888]]. He used the new paper and his frequent public lectures to advocate for civic progress, order and good morals. | |||
Rhodes, commissioned a Brigadier General in the [[Alabama National Guard]] by the authority of the [[Governor of Alabama]], was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of [[1892]] and [[1904]]. He also served as a director and second vice-president of the Associated Press. | Rhodes, commissioned a Brigadier General in the [[Alabama National Guard]] by the authority of the [[Governor of Alabama]], was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of [[1892]] and [[1904]]. He helped organize and later became the second president of the commercial club, later known as the [[Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce]]. He was a two-term president of the Alabama Press Association ([[1899]]–[[1901]]) and served as president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association. He also served as a director and second vice-president of the Associated Press. He was a vestryman at the [[Episcopal Church of the Advent]], | ||
Rhodes, | In [[1909]], the childless Rhodes, the ''News''' sole owner, announced the sale of a portion of ''News'' stock to [[Victor Hanson]]. He died the following year and is buried in Birmingham's [[Elmwood Cemetery]]. [[Rhodes Park]] on [[Highland Avenue]] and nearby [[Rhodes Circle]] are named for him. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* {{Dubose-1904}} | * {{Dubose-1904}} | ||
* {{Birmingham News-1988}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhodes, Rufus N.}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Rhodes, Rufus N.}} | ||
Revision as of 00:13, 13 January 2011
Rufus Napoleon Rhodes (born June 5, 1856 in Pascagoula, Mississippi – died January 12, 1910 in Birmingham) was the founder and managing editor of The Birmingham News from its beginning in 1888 until his death.
Rufus was the son of Rufus Randolph Rhodes, an attorney, and Martha Fisher. He was educated in New Orleans, Louisiana; Cluster Springs, Virginia; and the Southwestern University at Clarksville, Tennessee. After reading law at the office of James Bailey in Clarksville he was admitted to the Tennessee State Bar on his 19th birthday.
In 1877 Rhodes was elected City Attorney of Clarksville and represented Montgomery County in the Tennessee Assembly. In 1882 he married the former Margaret Smith. The following year, he and his wife moved to Chicago, Illinois to practice law.
The couple moved to Birmingham in 1887, where Rhodes began his interest in journalism. He initially took a position as editor of The Daily Herald, but was opposed by the paper's president when he wished to campaign to build a bridge over the railroad tracks dividing the city. He resigned on March 11, 1888 and immediately founded the News, its first edition published on March 14, 1888. He used the new paper and his frequent public lectures to advocate for civic progress, order and good morals.
Rhodes, commissioned a Brigadier General in the Alabama National Guard by the authority of the Governor of Alabama, was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1892 and 1904. He helped organize and later became the second president of the commercial club, later known as the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a two-term president of the Alabama Press Association (1899–1901) and served as president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association. He also served as a director and second vice-president of the Associated Press. He was a vestryman at the Episcopal Church of the Advent,
In 1909, the childless Rhodes, the News' sole owner, announced the sale of a portion of News stock to Victor Hanson. He died the following year and is buried in Birmingham's Elmwood Cemetery. Rhodes Park on Highland Avenue and nearby Rhodes Circle are named for him.
| Preceded by: none |
Birmingham News Publisher 1888–1910 |
Succeeded by: Victor Hanson |
References
- Dubose, Joel Campbell (1904) Notable men of Alabama: Personal and Genealogical 2 Volumes. Atlanta, Georgia: Southern Historical Association
- Jones, Emily, ed. (1988). The Birmingham News: Our First 100 Years. Birmingham, AL: The Birmingham News Company.