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{{Short description|American publisher}}
[[File:scrippsplane.gif|right|thumb|William E. Scripps in a Curtiss Model F in 1914]]
[[File:scrippsplane.gif|right|thumb|William E. Scripps in a Curtiss Model F in 1914]]
'''William Edmund Scripps''' (May 6, 1882–1952) was a pioneer [[aviator]] and the publisher of ''[[The Detroit News]]''. He was an also an original founder of the [[WWJ (AM)|WWJ]] radio station.
'''William Edmund Scripps''' (May 6, 1882 – June 12, 1952) was a pioneer [[aviator]] and the publisher of ''[[The Detroit News]]''. He was also an original founder of the [[WWJ (AM)|WWJ]] radio station.


==Biography==
==Biography==
He was born on May 6, 1882 to [[James E. Scripps]], the founder of [[The Detroit News|Detroit’s ''Evening News'']]. His uncle (father's half-brother) [[Edward W. Scripps]], founded the [[E.W. Scripps Company]]; and his aunt (father's half-sister), [[Ellen Browning Scripps]], was a noted [[philanthropist]]. He was a great uncle to [[Samuel H. Scripps]]. His brother-in-law, [[George Gough Booth]], worked alongside him in the newspaper and radio industry. His nephew (George's son) was [[James Scripps Booth]], an artist and automotive engineer.
He was born on May 6, 1882, to [[James E. Scripps]], the founder of [[The Detroit News|Detroit's ''Evening News'']]. His uncle (father's half-brother) [[Edward W. Scripps]], founded the [[E.W. Scripps Company]]; and his aunt (father's half-sister), [[Ellen Browning Scripps]], was a noted [[philanthropist]]. He was a great uncle to [[Samuel H. Scripps]]. His brother-in-law, [[George Gough Booth]], worked alongside him in the newspaper and radio industry. His nephew (George's son) was [[James Scripps Booth]], an artist and automotive engineer.


Scripps married Nina Amenda Downey and had four children. A one-room schoolhouse on the family property was named for his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stmarysinthehills.org/about-st-marys/history |title=History &#124;St. Mary's in the Hills, Lake Orion |publisher=Stmarysinthehills.org |date=2013-01-24 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> When his son James Edmund II died of [[appendicitis]] in 1925 at 22, Scripps and his wife donated a painting to the [[Detroit Institute of Arts|Detroit Art Museum]] in his memory.
Scripps married Nina Amenda Downey and had four children. A one-room schoolhouse on the family property was named for his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stmarysinthehills.org/about-st-marys/history |title=History &#124;St. Mary's in the Hills, Lake Orion |publisher=Stmarysinthehills.org |date=2013-01-24 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref> When his son James Edmund II died of [[appendicitis]] in 1925 at 22, an oil painting was donated to the [[Detroit Institute of Arts|Detroit Art Museum]] in his memory by his wife in 1954. The painting is "The Nut Gatherers" by William Adolphe Bourguereau.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/nut-gatherers-35198 |title = The Hazelnuts (The Nut Gatherers) {{!}} Detroit Institute of Arts Museum}}</ref>


He died in 1952.
He died on June 12, 1952, from a respiratory illness.


==Estate==
==Estate==
⚫
{{see also|Scripps Mansion}}


⚫
In 1916, he began purchasing large tracts of [[Farmland (farming)|farmland]] in [[Lake Orion, Michigan]], with an ambition to raise [[livestock]] and show animals, including [[American Angus|Angus]] cattle, [[swine]], [[cows]], and [[poultry]]. The [[estate (land)|estate]], called Wildwood Farms, grew in size to {{convert|3830|acre|km2}}.<ref>[http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/ArcGISOnline/StoryMaps/mhc_historical_markers/pdfs/MHC632008010.pdf William E. and Anna Scripps Estate], Michigan Department of Natural Resources</ref>
⚫
''See: [[Scripps Mansion]]''


⚫
In the mid-1920s Scripps hired his brother-in-law, architect Clarence E. Day, to build a new home for his family on the northwest quadrant of the property. [[Scripps Mansion]], a magnificent [[Norman architecture|Norman]] and [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor style]] dwelling, was completed in 1927. It has served as a [[guest house]] and retreat center for the [[Catholic church]] since the 1950s and is not open to the public, except on scheduled guided tours showcasing the interior design and garden.<ref name="friends">{{cite web |url=http://www.friendsofscrippsestate.org/estate.html |title=Friends of the William e. Scripps Estate |website=www.friendsofscrippsestate.org |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201103524/http://www.friendsofscrippsestate.org/estate.html |archive-date=1 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
In 1916, he began purchasing large tracts of [[Farmland (farming)|farmland]] in [[Lake Orion, Michigan]] with an ambition to raise [[livestock]] and show animals, including [[angus cattle]], [[swine]], [[cows]], and [[poultry]]. The [[estate (land)|estate]], called Wildwood Farms, grew in size to roughly {{convert|720|acre|km2}}.


⚫
Many of the European paintings from the estate were later donated to the [[Detroit Institute of Arts]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dia.org/art/european.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404124151/http://www.dia.org/art/european.aspx |archive-date=2010-04-04 |title=European Paintings, Sculpture, Modern Art — The Detroit Institute of Arts}}</ref> William was an active contributor to the DIA, and his father [[James E. Scripps|James]] was an original founder of the permanent collection building.
⚫
In the mid-1920s Scripps hired his brother-in-law, architect Clarence E. Day, to build a new home for his family on the northwest quadrant of the property. [[Scripps Mansion]], a magnificent [[Norman architecture|Norman]] and [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor style]] dwelling, was completed in 1927. It has served as a [[guest house]] and retreat center for the [[Catholic church]] since the 1950s and is not open to the public, except on scheduled guided tours showcasing the interior design and garden.<ref>http://www.friendsofscrippsestate.org/estate.html</ref>


⚫
After his death in 1952, the farm livestock and equipment was auctioned off, and the land was sold or donated for parkland to [[Orion Township, Michigan|Orion Township]], [[Oakland County, Michigan|Oakland County]], and the state of [[Michigan]] ([[Bald Mountain Recreation Area]]).<ref name="friends" /> The farm buildings and employee housing were later developed in the Canterbury Village shopping center.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://canterburyvillage.com/about-us.aspx |title=Canterbury Village Lake Orion, MI - Web Store - Company |publisher=Canterburyvillage.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>
⚫
Many of the European paintings from the estate were later donated to the [[Detroit Institute of Arts]].<ref>http://beta.dia.org/the_collection/provenance_information/provAD.asp</ref> William was an active contributor to the DIA, and his father [[James E. Scripps|James]] was an original founder of the permanent collection building.


In 2007 the estate was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>[http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/ArcGISOnline/StoryMaps/mhc_historical_markers/pdfs/MHC632008010.pdf Historical markers] michigandnr.com {{dead link|date=July 2023}}</ref>
⚫
After his death in 1952, the farm livestock and equipment was auctioned off, and the land was sold or donated for parkland to [[Orion Township, Michigan|Orion Township]], [[Oakland County, Michigan|Oakland County]], and the state of [[Michigan]] ([[Bald Mountain Recreation Area]]).<ref>http://www.friendsofscrippsestate.org/estate.html</ref> The farm buildings and employee housing were later developed in the [http://canterburyvillage.com/ Canterbury Village] shopping center <ref>{{cite web|url=http://canterburyvillage.com/about-us.aspx |title=Canterbury Village Lake Orion, MI - Web Store - Company |publisher=Canterburyvillage.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>

In 2007 the estate was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].


==Aviation and boating==
==Aviation and boating==
Scripps was an avid aviator and promoted aviation through his father's newspaper, ''[[The Detroit News]]'', which he helped run from 1929&ndash;1952. In 1913, Scripps flew a [[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtis]] [[Curtiss Model F|Model F]] [[flying boat]] underneath the original [[MacArthur Bridge (Detroit)|Belle Isle Bridge]]<ref>http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=77&CFID=11849544&CFTOKEN=67648774</ref>
Scripps was an avid aviator and promoted aviation through his father's newspaper, ''[[The Detroit News]]'', which he helped run from 1929&ndash;1952. In 1913, Scripps flew a [[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtis]] [[Curtiss Model F|Model F]] [[flying boat]] underneath the original [[MacArthur Bridge (Detroit)|Belle Isle Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=77 |title=Archived copy |website=info.detnews.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731040800/http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=77 |archive-date=31 July 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Scripps invited [[Amelia Earhart]] to Lake Orion in 1929, where she successfully tested an experimental [[glider aircraft|glider]].<ref>[http://cedarcreekvoice.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/amelia-earhart-photos-mystery-solved/ ]{{dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=June 2013}}
Scripps invited [[Amelia Earhart]] to Lake Orion in 1929, where she successfully tested an experimental [[glider aircraft|glider]].


In 1904, Scripps helped found the [[Gold Cup (motorsport)|Gold Cup]] boat racing series on the [[Detroit River]].
In 1904, Scripps helped found the [[APBA Gold Cup|Gold Cup]] boat racing series on the [[Detroit River]].


==Media==
==Media==
William had a role with the ''News'' after his father's death, although the paper was primarily ran by [[George Gough Booth]]; William's brother in law.
William had a role with the ''News'' after his father's death, although the paper was primarily run by [[George Gough Booth]]; William's brother in law.


William and his brother John Scripps were original founders of [[WWJ (AM)]] radio in 1920. Worried that radio might interfere with newspaper sales, the Scripps family invested in the new medium. Housed in The Detroit News Building, it began limited broadcasts that same year. During the 1940s, William established the first radio broadcasting of [[Alcoholics Anonymous]]. The station remained under ''News'' ownership until 1987, when U.S. [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) regulations mandated a sale to prevent [[cross ownership]]. WWJ is currently broadcasting as a popular all-news format.
William and his brother John Scripps were original founders of [[WWJ (AM)]] radio in 1920. Worried that radio might interfere with newspaper sales, the Scripps family invested in the new medium. Housed in The Detroit News Building, it began limited broadcasts that same year. During the 1940s, William established the first radio broadcasting of [[Alcoholics Anonymous]]. The station remained under ''News'' ownership until 1987, when U.S. [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) regulations mandated a sale to prevent [[cross ownership]]. WWJ is currently broadcasting as a popular all-news format.
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.friendsofscrippsestate.org/ Friends of William Edmund Scripps Estate]
* [http://tclf.org/landslides/william-e-scripps-estate William E. Scripps Estate | TCLF]
* [http://www.orionhistoricalsociety.org/Scripps%20Area.htm Orion Historical Society]
* [http://www.michmarkers.com/startup.asp?startpage=S0711.htm MICHMARKERS.COM]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080517122702/http://friendsofscrippsestate.org/ Friends of William Edmund Scripps Estate]


{{Authority control|VIAF=68763559}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Scripps, William Edmund
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American publisher
| DATE OF BIRTH = May 6, 1882
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1952
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scripps, William Edmund}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scripps, William Edmund}}
[[Category:1882 births]]
[[Category:1882 births]]
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[[Category:American newspaper publishers (people)]]
[[Category:American newspaper publishers (people)]]
[[Category:Members of the Early Birds of Aviation]]
[[Category:Members of the Early Birds of Aviation]]
[[Category:Scripps family]]
[[Category:Scripps family|William Edmund]]
[[Category:The Detroit News people]]
[[Category:The Detroit News people]]
[[Category:People from Lake Orion, Michigan]]

Revision as of 05:40, 24 June 2024

William E. Scripps in a Curtiss Model F in 1914

William Edmund Scripps (May 6, 1882 – June 12, 1952) was a pioneer aviator and the publisher of The Detroit News. He was also an original founder of the WWJ radio station.

Biography

He was born on May 6, 1882, to James E. Scripps, the founder of Detroit's Evening News. His uncle (father's half-brother) Edward W. Scripps, founded the E.W. Scripps Company; and his aunt (father's half-sister), Ellen Browning Scripps, was a noted philanthropist. He was a great uncle to Samuel H. Scripps. His brother-in-law, George Gough Booth, worked alongside him in the newspaper and radio industry. His nephew (George's son) was James Scripps Booth, an artist and automotive engineer.

Scripps married Nina Amenda Downey and had four children. A one-room schoolhouse on the family property was named for his wife.[1] When his son James Edmund II died of appendicitis in 1925 at 22, an oil painting was donated to the Detroit Art Museum in his memory by his wife in 1954. The painting is "The Nut Gatherers" by William Adolphe Bourguereau.[2]

He died on June 12, 1952, from a respiratory illness.

Estate

See also: Scripps Mansion

In 1916, he began purchasing large tracts of farmland in Lake Orion, Michigan, with an ambition to raise livestock and show animals, including Angus cattle, swine, cows, and poultry. The estate, called Wildwood Farms, grew in size to 3,830 acres (15.5 km2).[3]

In the mid-1920s Scripps hired his brother-in-law, architect Clarence E. Day, to build a new home for his family on the northwest quadrant of the property. Scripps Mansion, a magnificent Norman and Tudor style dwelling, was completed in 1927. It has served as a guest house and retreat center for the Catholic church since the 1950s and is not open to the public, except on scheduled guided tours showcasing the interior design and garden.[4]

Many of the European paintings from the estate were later donated to the Detroit Institute of Arts.[5] William was an active contributor to the DIA, and his father James was an original founder of the permanent collection building.

After his death in 1952, the farm livestock and equipment was auctioned off, and the land was sold or donated for parkland to Orion Township, Oakland County, and the state of Michigan (Bald Mountain Recreation Area).[4] The farm buildings and employee housing were later developed in the Canterbury Village shopping center.[6]

In 2007 the estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Aviation and boating

Scripps was an avid aviator and promoted aviation through his father's newspaper, The Detroit News, which he helped run from 1929–1952. In 1913, Scripps flew a Curtis Model F flying boat underneath the original Belle Isle Bridge.[8]

Scripps invited Amelia Earhart to Lake Orion in 1929, where she successfully tested an experimental glider.

In 1904, Scripps helped found the Gold Cup boat racing series on the Detroit River.

Media

William had a role with the News after his father's death, although the paper was primarily run by George Gough Booth; William's brother in law.

William and his brother John Scripps were original founders of WWJ (AM) radio in 1920. Worried that radio might interfere with newspaper sales, the Scripps family invested in the new medium. Housed in The Detroit News Building, it began limited broadcasts that same year. During the 1940s, William established the first radio broadcasting of Alcoholics Anonymous. The station remained under News ownership until 1987, when U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations mandated a sale to prevent cross ownership. WWJ is currently broadcasting as a popular all-news format.

In 1947 the News also founded a television station, WWJ TV. That station remains on the air, however it is now known as WDIV-TV. A new and separate station known as WWJ-TV began operations in 1978.

References

  1. ^ "History |St. Mary's in the Hills, Lake Orion". Stmarysinthehills.org. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  2. ^ "The Hazelnuts (The Nut Gatherers) | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum".
  3. ^ William E. and Anna Scripps Estate, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  4. ^ a b "Friends of the William e. Scripps Estate". www.friendsofscrippsestate.org. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ^ "European Paintings, Sculpture, Modern Art — The Detroit Institute of Arts". Archived from the original on 2010-04-04.
  6. ^ "Canterbury Village Lake Orion, MI - Web Store - Company". Canterburyvillage.com. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  7. ^ Historical markers michigandnr.com [dead link]
  8. ^ "Archived copy". info.detnews.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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