Jack Bethea: Difference between revisions
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'''Andrew Jackson Bethea''' (born [[September 19]], [[1892]] in [[Birmingham]]; died [[July 3]], [[1928]] in Birmingham) was a newspaper reporter and acclaimed novelist. | '''Andrew Jackson Bethea''' (born [[September 19]], [[1892]] in [[Birmingham]]; died [[July 3]], [[1928]] in Birmingham) was a newspaper reporter and acclaimed novelist. | ||
Bethea was the son of [[Augustus Bethea|Augustus]] and [[Eugenia Bethea]]. He starting reporting for the ''[[Birmingham Age-Herald]]'' in [[1909]] while he was a junior at [[ | Bethea was the son of [[Augustus Bethea|Augustus]] and [[Eugenia Bethea]]. He starting reporting for the ''[[Birmingham Age-Herald]]'' in [[1909]] while he was a junior at [[Central High School]]. | ||
He married [[Alice Bethea|Alice Sixbey]] on [[August 7]], [[1912]], and they had one daughter. Bethea was promoted to city editor for the ''[[Birmingham Ledger]]'' in [[1916]] and to managing editor of ''[[The Birmingham Post]]'' in [[1921]], focusing on local politics, crime and corruption. He earned a reputation for balanced and thorough accounts, though one detailed story of a homicide investigation earned him a 24-hour sentence for contempt of court. | He married [[Alice Bethea|Alice Sixbey]] on [[August 7]], [[1912]], and they had one daughter. Bethea was promoted to city editor for the ''[[Birmingham Ledger]]'' in [[1916]] and to managing editor of ''[[The Birmingham Post]]'' when it was launched in [[1921]], focusing on local politics, crime and corruption. He earned a reputation for balanced and thorough accounts, though one detailed story of a homicide investigation earned him a 24-hour sentence for contempt of court. | ||
In his spare time Bethea wrote short stories and novels for publication, citing [[Octavus Roy Cohen]] as his inspiration. His first novel, ''[[Half-Gods]]'' was published in serial form by ''Collier's'' before being published in a single volume by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. in [[1923]]. | In his spare time Bethea wrote short stories and novels for publication, citing [[Octavus Roy Cohen]] as his inspiration. His first novel, ''[[Half-Gods]]'' was published in serial form by ''Collier's'' before being published in a single volume by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. in [[1923]]. | ||
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[[Category:1892 births]] | [[Category:1892 births]] | ||
[[Category:1928 deaths]] | [[Category:1928 deaths]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Central graduates]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Age-Herald]] | [[Category:Birmingham Age-Herald]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Post]] | [[Category:Birmingham Post]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:50, 22 September 2017
Andrew Jackson Bethea (born September 19, 1892 in Birmingham; died July 3, 1928 in Birmingham) was a newspaper reporter and acclaimed novelist.
Bethea was the son of Augustus and Eugenia Bethea. He starting reporting for the Birmingham Age-Herald in 1909 while he was a junior at Central High School.
He married Alice Sixbey on August 7, 1912, and they had one daughter. Bethea was promoted to city editor for the Birmingham Ledger in 1916 and to managing editor of The Birmingham Post when it was launched in 1921, focusing on local politics, crime and corruption. He earned a reputation for balanced and thorough accounts, though one detailed story of a homicide investigation earned him a 24-hour sentence for contempt of court.
In his spare time Bethea wrote short stories and novels for publication, citing Octavus Roy Cohen as his inspiration. His first novel, Half-Gods was published in serial form by Collier's before being published in a single volume by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. in 1923.
Bethea's melodramatic fiction was typically set in and around the coal mines and factories of the Birmingham District. His novels Bed Rock and Honor Bound were adapted for the cinema. "Coming Through", the motion picture based on Bed Rock was filmed in Brookside and the Oxmoor Valley in 1924 by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation.
In 1928, aggrieved by an ongoing health problem, Bethea underwent a surgical procedure and attempted a recuperation at a retreat outside the city. He returned to work, but continued to suffer. One day in July he left work early and checked himself into the Tutwiler Hotel. An hour later, the cleaning staff discovered that he had hanged himself with his belt.
He was survived by his wife, Alice, and by a daughter.
Publications
- Bethea, Jack (1923) Half-Gods. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1923) Coal. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1924) Bed Rock. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1924) Black Damp. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1926) Deep Seam. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1926) Honor Bound. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1926) The Man Trip. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
- Bethea, Jack (1927) Silver Fleece. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
References
- "Jack Bethea a suicide in Birmingham Hotel." (July 3, 1928) The New York Times
- Bates, Kelsey Scouten (April 2009) "Timepiece: Jack Bethea: The Life and Death of a Promising Young Writer". Birmingham magazine. Vol. 49, No. 4
- Ross, Joe (June 17, 2013) "Jack Bethea" Encyclopedia of Alabama - accessed August 11, 2014