Robert C. Crane
Encyclopedia
Robert Clark Crane was an American
newspaper publisher and Republican Party
politician from New Jersey
.
, the son of Frederick L. and Gwendolyn (Kershner) Crane. Both his father and his grandfather Augustus S. Crane were publishers of the Elizabeth Daily Journal in Elizabeth, New Jersey
. After graduating from the Pingry School
in Elizabeth, Crane attended Dartmouth College
, graduating in 1941. After graduation he became a copy boy at the Journal.
Crane married Francis Hyde Adams on November 22, 1942. They had three children: Geoffrey, Jonathon, and Deborah.
During World War II
he served in the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army
in North Africa, Italy, and Germany, rising to the rank of captain and receiving the Bronze Star Medal
.
He returned to the Journal after the war, working as a bookkeeper. He later served as an editorial writer, assistant general manager, assistant editor and general manager. After the death of his father on August 15, 1949, he became editor and publisher of the paper.
In 1959 the Journal was sold to the Ralph Ingersoll
chain and became part of Mid-Atlantic Newspapers, Inc. Crane remained as head of the paper until early 1960.
Crane was elected to the New Jersey Senate
from Union County
in 1955. He was re-elected in 1959. In January 1962, Crane announced that he would soon leave the Senate, having fallen ill with cancer. As a special honor, he was made Senate President for a week, also serving as Acting Governor for two hours. He resigned from the Senate in March 1962.
Crane died at Elizabeth General Hospital in April 1962 at the age of 41.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
newspaper publisher and Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Biography
Crane was born in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, the son of Frederick L. and Gwendolyn (Kershner) Crane. Both his father and his grandfather Augustus S. Crane were publishers of the Elizabeth Daily Journal in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
. After graduating from the Pingry School
Pingry School
The Pingry School is a coeducational, independent, college preparatory country day school in New Jersey, with a Lower School campus in the Short Hills neighborhood of Millburn, and a Middle and Upper School campus in Martinsville. The school was founded in 1861 by Dr. John F. Pingry.Pingry's...
in Elizabeth, Crane attended Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, graduating in 1941. After graduation he became a copy boy at the Journal.
Crane married Francis Hyde Adams on November 22, 1942. They had three children: Geoffrey, Jonathon, and Deborah.
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 served in the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in North Africa, Italy, and Germany, rising to the rank of captain and receiving the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
He returned to the Journal after the war, working as a bookkeeper. He later served as an editorial writer, assistant general manager, assistant editor and general manager. After the death of his father on August 15, 1949, he became editor and publisher of the paper.
In 1959 the Journal was sold to the Ralph Ingersoll
Ralph Ingersoll (PM publisher)
Ralph McAllister Ingersoll was an American writer, editor, and publisher...
chain and became part of Mid-Atlantic Newspapers, Inc. Crane remained as head of the paper until early 1960.
Crane was elected to the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
from Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
in 1955. He was re-elected in 1959. In January 1962, Crane announced that he would soon leave the Senate, having fallen ill with cancer. As a special honor, he was made Senate President for a week, also serving as Acting Governor for two hours. He resigned from the Senate in March 1962.
Crane died at Elizabeth General Hospital in April 1962 at the age of 41.
External links
- Robert C. Crane at The Political GraveyardThe Political GraveyardThe Political Graveyard is a website and database that catalogues information on more than 224,000 American political figures and political families, along with other information.-History:...