William S. Morris Jr.

Notable work and positions

The Augusta Chronicle - Publisher (1937-1966); Owner and President

Biography

William S. Morris Jr. (died 1967) began his media career in 1929 at age 26 as a bookkeeper for The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, then owned by International Paper and Power Company. He was named editor of the paper's editorial operations in 1937, after firing editor Thomas J. Hamilton, and purchased a controlling interest in the Chronicle in 1945 with his wife, Florence, and a business partner, founding Southeastern Newspapers, Inc. In 1955 he acquired the remaining stock of the Chronicle along with the rival Augusta Herald, consolidating both newspapers under Southeastern Newspapers. Under his ownership the Chronicle broke from its traditional Democratic Party endorsements to back segregationist Strom Thurmond over Harry Truman in the 1948 presidential election. He retired in 1966, passing leadership of the company to his son, William S. "Billy" Morris III, and the business he founded became Morris Communications Corporation in 1970.