Frank Gannett

  • Gannett Company

Frank Ernest Gannett was born in 1876 and raised in South Bristol, New York. Using money he earned working for a year before college and being awarded a scholarship to attend Cornell University, Gannett was able to take courses in literature, history, civil and criminal law, government, Greek and Latin; all with the intention of going into journalism.

By the time he left Cornell not only did Gannett have a degree, but he had $1,000 as well.
In 1906 Gannett became a part owner of the daily newspaper the Elmira Gazette. Gannett soon merged this paper with the rival Elmira Star, creating a new entity, the Elmira Star-Gazette, a paper that is still published. Gannett continued on this path and became known as “The Great Hyphenator.”

Gannett continued to build his corporation through the 20s, 30s and 40s, until he was forced to slow down after suffering a stroke in 1948. After suffering a fractured spine in 1955 Gannett transferred management of his company to Paul Miller, a journalist who became the next president.

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