Judson C. Welliver | |
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| Born | (1870-08-13)August 13, 1870 |
| Died | April 14, 1943(1943-04-14) (aged 72) |
| Occupations | Newspaper journalist, presidential speechwriter |
| Known for | Widely regarded as the first presidential speechwriter |
Judson Churchill Welliver (August 13, 1870 – April 14, 1943)[note 1] was a "literary clerk" to PresidentWarren G. Harding and is usually credited as being the first presidentialspeechwriter.[1][note 2]
Judson Welliver was born on August 13, 1870, inAledo, Illinois.[2][3]
He married his wife, Jane Douglas Hutchins, on July 3, 1899. They had four children—Edward M., Allan J., Sarah H., and Jane Douglas.[4]
By 1909, Welliver had earned a reputation as "one of the most able journalists in the country".[3] He worked variously at theFort Dodge Messenger, theSioux City Journal, and theDes Moines Leader before becoming the editor of theSioux City Tribune, a position which he held until 1904.[3] That year, Wellington joined the staff of theWashington Times, where he was noted for his support of theProgressives.[3] He wrote articles forMcClure's Magazine andHampton's during themuckraker period.[5]
He was sent to Europe by President Roosevelt in 1907 to report on the waterway and railroad systems of Europe and Great Britain.[4] (The report was published in 1908.) He managed London correspondence and European news for theNew York Sun from 1917 until 1918.[4]
Welliver handled publicity for Harding during his1920 presidential campaign, and began working as a "literary clerk" to President Harding on March 4, 1921.[1][4] Welliver left his speech-writing position at the White House on November 1, 1925 (under the presidency ofCalvin Coolidge), accepting a position at theAmerican Petroleum Institute for a better salary.[4][6] After he resigned from the American Petroleum job in 1927, Welliver went on to become editor of theWashington Herald in 1928.[4] He was also assistant to the president of thePullman Company from 1928 to 1931.[4]
Welliver died ofcancer inPhiladelphia on April 14, 1943,[4] at the age of 72.[7]
TheJudson Welliver Society, a bipartisan social club composed of former presidential speechwriters, is named in his honor.[2]
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