Kent Cooper

Kent Cooper (March 22, 1880–January 31, 1965) served with the Associated Press (AP) for 41 years, last as executive direct.

Kent Cooper was born on March 22, 1880, in Columbus, Indiana; his father was Democratic U.S. Congressman George W. Cooper.

His father's early death led Cooper to turn his after-school job as reporter for a local newspaper into a full-time job. He became a reporter for the Indianapolis Press newspaper. He joined the Scripps-McRae Press Association (later United Press), established his own news agency, and then returned to Scripps-McRae in a buy-out.

In 1910, Melville Stone, editor of the Associated Press, hied him as traveling inspector. In 1912, he was promoted to chief of traffic. In 1920, he was promoted to assistant general manager. In 1920, he became general manager.

Innovations introduced under his stewardship include use of first, high-speed telegraph printing machines, use of teletype (instead of Morse Code), and introduction of a photograph wire service (by 1935, known as World Wide Photos). By 1929, he had also opened bureaus in London, Paris, and Berlin.

During his 41 years with AP, Cooper's positions included general manager (1925–1943) and finally executive director.

In 1920, Cooper married Marian Rothwell; they divorced in 1940.

On January 31, 1965, he died in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York.

Cooper Glacier in Antarctica is named for him.

In 1941, Cooper received an honorary degree from Indiana University.

Cooper coined the term "the right to know" with publication of his book The Right to Know (1956).

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