James Russell Wiggins
Encyclopedia
James Russell Wiggins was managing editor of The Washington Post
and United States Ambassador to the United Nations
.
and later served as Washington correspondent before becoming managing editor in 1938.
, Wiggins served in Army Air Corps intelligence. While serving in the army, he met Philip Graham who would later become publisher of The Washington Post.
Graham made Wiggins managing editor of The Post in 1947 and promoted him to executive editor in 1955. One of his first acts as editor was to end racial identification in news articles. In 1954 Wiggins Received the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award
as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Colby College
. He was president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors
in 1959-60. Wiggins took over the Posts editorial page in 1961.
in 1968 to 1969 during the Lyndon Johnson presidency. In 1969 Wiggins received an LL.D. from Bates College
.
of Ellsworth, Maine
. He received the Eugene Cervi Award from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors in 1987.
Wiggins was married to his high school sweetheart, Mabel Preston, and their marriage lasted 67 years until her death in 1990.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
and United States Ambassador to the United Nations
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations is the leader of the U.S. delegation, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. The position is more formally known as the "Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador...
.
In Minnesota
Wiggins' first job in journalism was as reporter for the Rock County Star in Luverne, Minnesota immediately out of high school. In 1925, at the age of 22, he borrowed $10,000 and bought the newspaper. In 1930, he moved to St. Paul to become an editorial writer for the Pioneer PressPioneer Press
The Pioneer Press publishes 50 local newspapers in the metropolitan Chicago area. It is a division of the Sun-Times Media Group. Pioneer Press' headquarters is in Glenview...
and later served as Washington correspondent before becoming managing editor in 1938.
Washington Post years
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Wiggins served in Army Air Corps intelligence. While serving in the army, he met Philip Graham who would later become publisher of The Washington Post.
Graham made Wiggins managing editor of The Post in 1947 and promoted him to executive editor in 1955. One of his first acts as editor was to end racial identification in news articles. In 1954 Wiggins Received the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award
Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award
The Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award is presented annually by Colby College to a member of the newspaper profession who has contributed to the country's journalistic achievement...
as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Colby College
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States...
. He was president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors
American Society of Newspaper Editors
The American Society of News Editors is a membership organization for editors, producers or directors in charge of journalistic organizations or departments, deans or faculty at university journalism schools, and leaders and faculty of media-related foundations and training organizations...
in 1959-60. Wiggins took over the Posts editorial page in 1961.
U.N. ambassador
President Lyndon Johnson appointed Wiggins U.S. ambassador to the United NationsUnited 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...
in 1968 to 1969 during the Lyndon Johnson presidency. In 1969 Wiggins received an LL.D. from Bates College
Bates College
Bates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
.
Later years
After his tenure as ambassador, Wiggins moved to Brooklin, Maine where he became editor and publisher of the The Ellsworth AmericanThe Ellsworth American
The Ellsworth American is a local newspaper from Ellsworth, Maine.Thomas N. Schroth, former editor of The Brooklyn Eagle and Congressional Quarterly and founder of the National Journal, served as editor of The Ellsworth American from 1972 until 1977, while it was owned by his father-in-law, James...
of Ellsworth, Maine
Ellsworth, Maine
Ellsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent...
. He received the Eugene Cervi Award from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors in 1987.
Wiggins was married to his high school sweetheart, Mabel Preston, and their marriage lasted 67 years until her death in 1990.