Christopher J. Perry

Christopher James Perry, Sr. (1854–1921)[1] was an American businessman, politician, civil rights activist, newspaper founder, newspaper editor, and journalist.[2][3] He was the founder of the The Tribune (later known as The Philadelphia Tribune), the longest running African-American newspaper.

Christopher James Perry
Born
Christopher James Perry

September 11, 1854
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 1921[1]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
Burial placeEden Cemetery, Collingdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesChristopher J. Perry, Sr.,
Chris J. Perry
Occupation(s)Businessman, politician, civil rights activist, newspaper founder, newspaper editor, journalist

Early life

Christopher James Perry was born on September 11, 1854, in Baltimore, Maryland, to parents that were free people of color.[3][4][5] When he was young, he moved to Philadelphia, in order to continue his education.[2] In 1867 at the age of 14, Perry started writing for local newspapers.[2]

Career

By November 1881, Perry was writing for the Sunday Mercury in New York City; and he later became the editor of the "colored department".[3][6] In 1884, he lost his job due to the newspaper’s bankruptcy; so Perry established his own newspaper on November 27, 1884, The Tribune (later known as The Philadelphia Tribune).[7][3][4] The first issue of the newspaper was written by hand, in an office located at 725 Sansom Street in Philadelphia.[4]

According to a United States census report, in 1880 the Black population in Philadelphia was 847,170 and by 1920 the Black population in Philadelphia rose to 1,823,779.[4] Within the Black community the city became overcrowded and the job market became highly competitive.[4] Perry used his newspaper to uplift and educate Black Philadelphians about social and political issues at both the local and national level; with a goal of supporting the middle class Black community's ability to gain higher education and local, decent paying jobs.[8][4] Throughout his career with The Tribune, Perry promoted the advancement of African Americans in society, and covered issues affecting their daily lives.[9]

For 10 years, he was a member of the Philadelphia City Council from the seventh ward.[10] He was a member of the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian.

Death and legacy

Perry worked on the Tribune until his death. Perry died of cancer on May 15, 1921, at his home in Philadelphia.[1][11] He was interred at Eden Cemetery (sometimes known as Marion Cemetery).[11]

Ten years after his death by 1930, The Tribune had a circulation of over 20,000, and became a vehicle of community change.[2]

References
  1. "Philadelphia Editor Dead". The Voice of the People. 1921-05-21. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  2. Manos, Nick (February 1, 2009). "Christopher J. Perry (1854–1920)". BlackPast.org.
  3. Penn, Irvine Garland (1891). "Mr. Christopher J. Perry, Editor Weekly Tribune". The Afro-American Press and Its Editors. Willey & Company. pp. 145–148. ISBN 978-0-598-58268-3.
  4. "The Leading Voice for Black Philadelphians, The Philadelphia Tribune". PhilaPlace. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  5. Lane, Roger (1991-08-15). William Dorsey's Philadelphia and Ours: On the Past and Future of the Black City in America. Oxford University Press. p. 418. ISBN 978-0-19-536221-3.
  6. "Christopher J. Perry - Leadership". Harvard Business School (HBS). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. Franklin, V. P. (1984). ""Voice of the Black Community:" The Philadelphia Tribune, 1912–41". Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies. 51 (4): 261–284. ISSN 0031-4528.
  8. Evensen, Bruce J. (1996). When Dempsey Fought Tunney: Heroes, Hokum, and Storytelling in the Jazz Age. Univ. of Tennessee Press. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-87049-918-0.
  9. Taylor, Frederick Jerome (1990). "Black Musicians in "The Philadelphia Tribune", 1912-20". The Black Perspective in Music. 18 (1/2): 127–140. doi:10.2307/1214862. ISSN 0090-7790.
  10. "Yesterday In Afro-American History". Jet. 36 (6): 11. May 15, 1969. ISSN 0021-5996.
  11. "Perry". Evening Public Ledger. 1921-05-16. p. 26. Retrieved 2023-04-04.

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