Ken Purdy
Encyclopedia
Kenneth William Purdy was an American automotive writer and editor.
Purdy was born in Chicago in 1913, and raised mostly in Auburn, New York
, by his mother after his father, songwriter William Thomas Purdy ( 1882–1918 ) (On, Wisconsin!
) died when Ken was only six. Ken graduated in 1934 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. Soon after, he got his first newspaper job with the Athol, Massachusetts
, Daily News. From there he went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin
, to the Chicago Radio Guide, to associate editor of Look
; and to the United States Office of War Information
as editor of Victory during World War II
. He was an editor at Parade
, Car and Driver
, Argosy
and True
magazines between the late 40's and mid 50's.
Purdy's main interest just happened to be autos and the people who drove them. Among other things, he produced 35 short stories and scores of automotive pieces for Playboy
. He won Playboy's annual writers' award three times. His Kings of the Road, published in 1949, is still a landmark.
Purdy died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on June 7, 1972 in Wilton, CT.
The International Motor Press Association
presents the annual Ken W. Purdy Award
to a writer for an outstanding body of work or a specific piece of work that deals with the automotive world.
Purdy was born in Chicago in 1913, and raised mostly in Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
, by his mother after his father, songwriter William Thomas Purdy ( 1882–1918 ) (On, Wisconsin!
On, Wisconsin!
"On, Wisconsin!" is the fight song of the Wisconsin Badgers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With modified lyrics, it is also the official state song of Wisconsin....
) died when Ken was only six. Ken graduated in 1934 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. Soon after, he got his first newspaper job with the Athol, Massachusetts
Athol, Massachusetts
Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,584 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called Pequoiag, the area was first settled by five families in September 1735. When the township was incorporated in 1762, the name was changed to Athol...
, Daily News. From there he went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
, to the Chicago Radio Guide, to associate editor of Look
Look (American magazine)
Look was a bi-weekly, general-interest magazine published in Des Moines, Iowa from 1937 to 1971, with more of an emphasis on photographs than articles...
; and to the United States Office of War Information
United States Office of War Information
The United States Office of War Information was a U.S. government agency created during World War II to consolidate government information services. It operated from June 1942 until September 1945...
as editor of Victory during World War II
World 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...
. He was an editor at Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
, Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
, Argosy
Argosy (magazine)
Argosy was an American pulp magazine, published by Frank Munsey. It is generally considered to be the first American pulp magazine. The magazine began as a general information periodical entitled The Golden Argosy, targeted at the boys adventure market.-Launch of Argosy:In late September 1882,...
and True
True (magazine)
True, also known as True, The Man's Magazine, was published by Fawcett Publications from 1937 until 1974. Known as True, A Man's Magazine in the 1930s, it was labeled True, #1 Man's Magazine in the 1960s. Petersen Publishing took over with the January 1975, issue...
magazines between the late 40's and mid 50's.
Purdy's main interest just happened to be autos and the people who drove them. Among other things, he produced 35 short stories and scores of automotive pieces for Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
. He won Playboy's annual writers' award three times. His Kings of the Road, published in 1949, is still a landmark.
Purdy died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on June 7, 1972 in Wilton, CT.
The International Motor Press Association
International Motor Press Association
The International Motor Press Association , is the oldest trade association representing automotive journalists and Public Relations professionals in the United States. It was established in 1909.- Monthly meetings :...
presents the annual Ken W. Purdy Award
to a writer for an outstanding body of work or a specific piece of work that deals with the automotive world.