Carl W. Ackerman
Encyclopedia
Carl William Ackerman (January 16, 1890 – October 9, 1970) was a journalist and author. He graduated from Earlham College
and worked as a correspondent in World War I
with the United Press. However, he first received public attention as the author of "Germany, The Next Republic?", a book that discussed the possibility of a successful democracy in post-Kaiser Germany. When the book was printed in 1917, at the height of World War I
, this sentiment was considered quite radical.
As a correspondent
for the Philadelphia Public Ledger
in 1919, Ackerman published an English edition of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
". All references to Jews
were replaced with references to Bolshevists, resulting in an anti-Bolshevist tract
.
Ackerman married Hilda Ackerman in 1922, and was the father of Josef, William, and Gabriel Ackerman.
In 1931 Ackerman was approached to act first as the director, and later as the first dean, of Columbia University
's School of Journalism (the home of many of journalism's most precious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize
). In this position he continued to be controversial, going so far as to accuse the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt
of fascism, and attempts to control journalism. Although reclusive, he worked to establish the school as one of the foremost schools of journalism in the nation.
He served on the board of trustees for Science Service, now known as Society for Science & the Public
, from 1936-1938.
In 1954, after the death of his wife, Ackerman set in motion his resignation from the university, and after Columbia found a replacement he resigned. He was known to visit only occasionally until his death in New York, New York 1970.
Earlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. It was founded in 1847 by Quakers and has approximately 1,200 students.The president is John David Dawson...
and worked as a correspondent in 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...
with the United Press. However, he first received public attention as the author of "Germany, The Next Republic?", a book that discussed the possibility of a successful democracy in post-Kaiser Germany. When the book was printed in 1917, at the height of 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...
, this sentiment was considered quite radical.
Correspondent
A correspondent or on-the-scene reporter is a journalist or commentator, or more general speaking, an agent who contributes reports to a newspaper, or radio or television news, or another type of company, from a remote, often distant, location. A foreign correspondent is stationed in a foreign...
for the Philadelphia Public Ledger
Public Ledger (Philadelphia)
The Public Ledger was a daily newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania published from March 25, 1836 to January 1942. Its motto was "Virtue Liberty and Independence". For a time, it was Philadelphia's most popular newspaper, but circulation declined in the mid-1930s.-Early history:Founded by William...
in 1919, Ackerman published an English edition of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a fraudulent, antisemitic text purporting to describe a Jewish plan for achieving global domination. It was first published in Russia in 1903, translated into multiple languages, and disseminated internationally in the early part of the twentieth century...
". All references to Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
were replaced with references to Bolshevists, resulting in an anti-Bolshevist tract
Tract (literature)
A tract is a literary work, and in current usage, usually religious in nature. The notion of what constitutes a tract has changed over time. By the early part of the 21st century, these meant small pamphlets used for religious and political purposes, though far more often the former. They are...
.
Ackerman married Hilda Ackerman in 1922, and was the father of Josef, William, and Gabriel Ackerman.
In 1931 Ackerman was approached to act first as the director, and later as the first dean, of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's School of Journalism (the home of many of journalism's most precious awards, including the 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...
). In this position he continued to be controversial, going so far as to accuse the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
of fascism, and attempts to control journalism. Although reclusive, he worked to establish the school as one of the foremost schools of journalism in the nation.
He served on the board of trustees for Science Service, now known as Society for Science & the Public
Society for Science & the Public
Society for Science & the Public , formerly known as Science Service, is a 5013 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of science, through its science education programs and publications, including the weekly Science News magazine.Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization...
, from 1936-1938.
In 1954, after the death of his wife, Ackerman set in motion his resignation from the university, and after Columbia found a replacement he resigned. He was known to visit only occasionally until his death in New York, New York 1970.
External links
- Images of Ackerman at Columbia Magazine: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/Spring2005/IMAGES/ackerman.jpg, http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/Spring2005/IMAGES/ackerman001.jpg, http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/Spring2005/IMAGES/ackerman004.jpg, http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/Spring2005/IMAGES/ackerman005.jpg, http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/Spring2005/IMAGES/ackerman006.jpg.
