Ludwell Howard Denny (November 18, 1894 – October 12, 1970) began his career as a Unitarian minister but soon switched to journalism, becoming a nationally known columnist, editor and editorial writer.
Ludwell Denny | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ludwell Howard Denny November 18, 1894 |
| Died | October 12, 1970 (aged 75) |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, columnist, writer, minister |
| Years active | 1921-1970 |
| Employer | The Nation |
| Notable work | We Fight for Oil (1928) America conquers Britain: A Record of Economic War (1930) |
| Spouses | |
| Awards | Freedom Foundation Editorial Award (1953) Scripps-Howard Roy W. Howard Award (1959) |
| Minister | |
| Church | First Unitarian Church of Rochester |
| In office | 1917-1921 |
| Personal details | |
| Denomination | Unitarianism |
| Alma mater | Meadville Theological School |
Biography
editDenny was born on November 18, 1894, in Boonville, Indiana. He attended the University of Chicago and trained for the ministry at Meadville Theological School in Meadville, Pennsylvania.[1] He served as minister of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester from 1917 to 1921.[2]
The Rochester Unitarians hired Denny upon his graduation from Meadville, where he had shown early talent by winning the school's award for public speaking three years in a row.[3] In his memoir, Dexter Perkins, chair of the history department of the University of Rochester and a leading member of First Unitarian, described Denny as "the best pulpit man I have ever known".[4]
Denny left the ministry after four years, however, expressing a desire to pursue his interest in world affairs. He first worked as European correspondent for The Nation and later served a variety of positions in the newspaper industry, including editor of the Indianapolis Times and chief editorial writer for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain.[1] He published two books: We Fight for Oil (1928) and America conquers Britain: A Record of Economic War (1930). He received the Freedom Foundation Editorial Award in 1953 and the Scripps-Howard Roy W. Howard Award in 1959.[1]
In 1917, he married Josephine Shyrock, who, raised in Meadville, was taking classes at the school while Denny was there. She died in 1953.[5] In 1954, Denny married Dorothy Detzer, who had served as Executive Secretary of the US section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom for twenty years.[6]
Denny died on October 12, 1970, in Monterey, California.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Ludwell Denny Papers, 1917-1959". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ Salzer, Nancy J. (1975). Covenant for Freedom: A History of the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Rochester, New York, 1829-1975. New York: First Unitarian Congregational Society of Rochester.
- ^ "At Unitarian Church - New Minister, Rev. Ludwell Howard Denny Will Be in Pulpit When Church Reopens To-morrow". Rochester Times-Union. Rochester, New York. September 8, 1917.
- ^ Perkins, Dexter (1969). Yield of the Years: An Autobiography. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. p. 53. An article in the Rochester Times-Union dated November 9, 1921 contained an official statement from the church announcing Denny's resignation that was signed by Dexter Perkins and two other members of the congregation.
- ^ "Mrs. Josephine S. Denny; Wife of Newsman". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. July 13, 1953. p. 17.
- ^ Cook, Bernard A., ed., Women and War: A Historical Encyclopedia from Antiquity to the Present, Volume 2 (2006), p. 151. ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, CA. ISBN 1-85109-770-8