John Seigenthaler, Sr.

John Seigenthaler
John Seigenthaler, speaking in Nashville in 2005
Born	John Lawrence Seigenthaler (1927-07-27)July 27, 1927 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	July 11, 2014(2014-07-11) (aged 86) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation	Journalist, writer
Years active	1949–2014
Spouse(s)	Dolores Watson (m. 1955–2014) (his death)
Children	John Michael Seigenthaler

John Lawrence Seigenthaler (/ˈsiːɡənθɔːlər/; July 27, 1927 – July 11, 2014) was an American journalist, writer, and political figure. He was known as a prominent defender of First Amendment rights.

Seigenthaler joined the Nashville newspaper The Tennessean in 1949, resigning in 1960 to act as Robert F. Kennedy's administrative assistant. He rejoined The Tennessean as editor in 1962, publisher in 1973, and chairman in 1982 before retiring as chairman emeritus in 1991. Seigenthaler was also founding editorial director of USA Today from 1982 to 1991. During this period, he served on the board of directors for the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and from 1988 to 1989 was its president.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Seigenthaler was the eldest of eight siblings. He attended Father Ryan High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1946–49, achieving the rank of sergeant. After leaving the service, Seigenthaler was hired at The Tennessean. While working at The Tennessean, Seigenthaler took courses in sociology and literature at Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University. He also attended the American Press Institute for Reporters at Columbia University.