Name Charlie Ross | ||
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Full Name Charles Griffith Ross Born November 9, 1885Independence, Missouri, USA ( 1885-11-09 ) Died December 5, 1950, Washington, D.C., United States Spouse Florence Griffin (m. 1913) Awards Pulitzer Prize for Correspondence | ||
Charles Griffith Ross (November 9, 1885 – December 5, 1950) was a White House Press Secretary between 1945 and 1950 for President Harry S. Truman.
Contents
- Early life
- Pulitzer prizewinning journalist
- White House Press Secretary
- Reputation for trustworthiness
- Death
- Family
- References
Early life
Ross graduated with Truman and Truman's eventual wife Bess Truman in Independence, Missouri from Independence High School (now known as William Chrisman High School) Class of 1901. He was initiated into the Sigma Chi fraternity and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1905. In 1908, he became the first professor of the newly formed Missouri School of Journalism.
Pulitzer prizewinning journalist
In 1918, he became the Chief Washington correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He won the 1932 Pulitzer Prize for his article entitled, "The Country's Plight, What Can Be Done About It?", a discussion of the economic situation of the United States.
In 1934, he became the editorial page editor for the Post-Dispatch and then in 1939 became a contributing editor for the paper.
White House Press Secretary
In 1945, Truman asked him to become his Press Secretary.
Despite Ross' personal relationship with Truman, he was to be accused by reporters of not running a tight ship in coordinating press releases, not being aware of everything going on in the Presidency, not burnishing the President's image, not being aware of the needs for spot news, and being a poor public speaker.
Reputation for trustworthiness
However, Ross' personal relationship with Truman had its advantages, as reporters knew Ross spoke for the president both on and off the record. Very few reporters felt Ross led them astray either.
Death
Ross died of a coronary occlusion at his desk in the White House in December 1950 after giving a press conference as he was preparing to make some comments to the television news. He was buried in Washington's Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Family
His widow, Florence Griffin, married The Kansas City Star editor Roy A. Roberts in 1953.
His grandson, John Ross is the author of the novel Unintended Consequences.