Kent Cooper | |
|---|---|
 Kent Cooper's headstone | |
| Born | (1880-03-22)March 22, 1880 |
| Died | January 31, 1965(1965-01-31) (aged 84) |
| Occupation | Served withAssociated Press (AP) for 41 years |
| Known for | Past Executive Director of the AP |
Kent Cooper (March 22, 1880 – January 31, 1965) served with theAssociated Press (AP) for 41 years, last as executive director.
Kent Cooper was born on March 22, 1880, inColumbus, Indiana; his father wasDemocraticU.S. CongressmanGeorge W. Cooper.[1]
His father's early death led Cooper to turn his after-school job as reporter for a local newspaper into a full-time job. He became a reporter for theIndianapolis Press newspaper. He joined the Scripps-McRae Press Association (laterUnited Press), established his own news agency, and then returned to Scripps-McRae in a buy-out.[1]
In 1910,Melville Stone, editor of the Associated Press, hired him as traveling inspector. In 1912, he was promoted to chief of traffic. In 1920, he was promoted to assistant general manager.[1] In 1925, he became general manager.[2]
In the late 1920s, Cooper hired AP's first class of women reporters, includingMarguerite Young, who later, as Washington bureau chief for theDaily Worker, would introduce Soviet spyHede Massing to American diplomatNoel Field.[3]
Innovations introduced under his stewardship include use of the first high-speed telegraph printing machines, use ofteletype (instead ofMorse Code), and introduction of a photograph wire service (by 1935, known as World Wide Photos).[1] By 1929, he had also opened bureaus inLondon,Paris, andBerlin.[4]
During his 41 years with AP, Cooper's positions included general manager (1925–1943) and finally executive director.
In 1920, Cooper married Marian Rothwell; they divorced in 1940.[5]
On January 31, 1965, he died inWest Palm Beach, Florida. He is buried inSleepy Hollow Cemetery,Sleepy Hollow, New York.[6]
Cooper Glacier inAntarctica is named for him.
Cooper received honorary degrees from:
Cooper coined the term "the right to know" with publication of his bookThe Right to Know (1956).[10]
Books:
Articles:
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