John Seigenthaler

ex-president, US Society Newspaper Editors

John Lawrence Seigenthaler is an American journalist, writer, and political figure. He founded the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. Seigenthaler joined *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.