Clayton Fritchey
Encyclopedia
Clayton Fritchey was an American
journalist
who spent many years in public service.
Clayton Fritchey was born in 1904 in Bellefontaine, Ohio. At the age of 2 he moved to Baltimore. His reporting career began at age 19 and by age 21 he had become the managing editor of The Baltimore Post. In later years he was a nationally syndicated columnist. The New York Times in their obituary for Clayton Fritchey noted the exciting stories he wrote for the Cleveland Press, detailing the exploits of Elliot Ness, who was brought in to Cleveland as Cleveland's public safety director to help clean up corruption in the police department.
During his time in New Orlean's as editor of the New Orlean's item, he defended an editorial that stated "Louisiana legislators 'have about as much independence as trained seals.'" The Louisiana legislature convened a committee to investigate if they had been "dissed" or at the time "disrespected" by Mr. Fritchey.
He was editor of the New Orleans Item when George C. Marshall asked him to become the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs in 1950. He served as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Director of the Office of Public Information, Dept. of Defense, 1950-52; Assistant to the President of the United States, 1952 (President
Harry Truman); and Deputy Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
, 1953-57.
Fritchey served as presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson's press secretary
in 1952
and 1956
.
Stevenson later called upon Fritchey to serve at the United Nations
as director of public affairs for the United States Mission to the United Nations. He served at that post from 1961 until Stevenson died in 1965.
Fritchey made the master list of Nixon political opponents
.
Clayton Fritchey was active in the circles of Washington's power and politics. The New York Times noted in 1981 that he introduced Jimmy Carter in 1976 to the Washington Political Intellectuals at his home at an event that had many in that circle attending including Sol Linowitz
and Senator Gaylord Nelson
.
The Times also noted that Jimmy Carter
did not build on these contacts.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who spent many years in public service.
Clayton Fritchey was born in 1904 in Bellefontaine, Ohio. At the age of 2 he moved to Baltimore. His reporting career began at age 19 and by age 21 he had become the managing editor of The Baltimore Post. In later years he was a nationally syndicated columnist. The New York Times in their obituary for Clayton Fritchey noted the exciting stories he wrote for the Cleveland Press, detailing the exploits of Elliot Ness, who was brought in to Cleveland as Cleveland's public safety director to help clean up corruption in the police department.
During his time in New Orlean's as editor of the New Orlean's item, he defended an editorial that stated "Louisiana legislators 'have about as much independence as trained seals.'" The Louisiana legislature convened a committee to investigate if they had been "dissed" or at the time "disrespected" by Mr. Fritchey.
He was editor of the New Orleans Item when George C. Marshall asked him to become the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs in 1950. He served as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Director of the Office of Public Information, Dept. of Defense, 1950-52; Assistant to the President of the United States, 1952 (President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Harry Truman); and Deputy Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
, 1953-57.
Fritchey served as presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson's press secretary
Press secretary
A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage....
in 1952
United States presidential election, 1952
The United States presidential election of 1952 took place in an era when Cold War tension between the United States and the Soviet Union was escalating rapidly. In the United States Senate, Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin had become a national figure after chairing congressional...
and 1956
United States presidential election, 1956
The United States presidential election of 1956 saw a popular Dwight D. Eisenhower successfully run for re-election. The 1956 election was a rematch of 1952, as Eisenhower's opponent in 1956 was Democrat Adlai Stevenson, whom Eisenhower had defeated four years earlier.Incumbent President Eisenhower...
.
Stevenson later called upon Fritchey to serve at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
as director of public affairs for the United States Mission to the United Nations. He served at that post from 1961 until Stevenson died in 1965.
Fritchey made the master list of Nixon political opponents
Master list of Nixon political opponents
A master list of Nixon political opponents was compiled to supplement the original Nixon's Enemies List of 20 key people considered opponents of President Richard Nixon. The master list was compiled by Charles Colson's office and sent in memorandum form to John Dean. Dean later provided this...
.
Clayton Fritchey was active in the circles of Washington's power and politics. The New York Times noted in 1981 that he introduced Jimmy Carter in 1976 to the Washington Political Intellectuals at his home at an event that had many in that circle attending including Sol Linowitz
Sol Linowitz
Sol Myron Linowitz was an American diplomat, lawyer, and businessman born in Trenton, NJ.Linowitz helped negotiate the return of the Panama Canal to Panama under the direction of President Jimmy Carter...
and Senator Gaylord Nelson
Gaylord Nelson
Gaylord Anton Nelson was an American politician from Wisconsin who served as a United States Senator and governor. A Democrat, he was the principal founder of Earth Day.-Public service and leadership:...
.
The Times also noted that Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
did not build on these contacts.