Otis, Harrison Gray

Revision as of 07:57, 25 November 2007

This article is about the publisher and soldier. For the United States Representative and Senator from Massachusetts, see: Harrison Gray Otis (lawyer).

Harrison Gray Otis (February 10, 1837 – July 30, 1917) was an American newspaper mogul, the owner and editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times. Under his leadership the Times became a firm right-wing bastion in fight against labor unions. Otis also played important role in the development of Los Angeles and California in general. He fought in the American Civil War, and, as brigadier-general, participated in the Philippine-American War.

Biography

Early life and education

Harrison Gray Otis was born near Marietta, Ohio, the youngest of sixteen children of Stephen and Sarah Otis. His family was famous for its patriotism - his grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, while his father was an abolitionist who helped runaway slaves. Otis received little formal education. At the age of 14 he started to work as a printer’s apprentice, deciding to pursue career in publishing. He later studied at a commercial college in Columbus, Ohio.

Start of a career

Otis married in 1959 to Eliza A. Wetherby and settled down in Louisville, Kentucky. He started to work for the Louisville Journal, under the famous editor, George D. Prentice. He also briefly dove into political waters, being elected to the Republican National Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for president. After the Civil War broke out, he volunteered for the Union army and fought in William McKinley's regiment, the 23rd Ohio Infantry. He became a highly regarded officer.

After the war in 1867, Otis became a compositor and later a Foreman of Printing in the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. He also joined the International Typographers' Union. From 1871 to 1876 he worked in the U.S. Patent office. During that time he visited California a couple of times and saw it as a land of opportunity. In 1870 he resigned from all his positions and moved with his family to Santa Barbara, California.

File:Postcard-ca-los-angeles-residence-gen-otis.jpg

Home of Harrison Gray Otis in Los Angeles

Acquiring the Los Angeles Times

After moving to California, Otis took over the Santa Barbara Daily Press from William W. Hollister. He also attempted several other businesses. However, after his business ventures went bad, in 1882 he scraped together $6,000 and bought quarter interests in the newly founded Los Angeles Daily Times. He became editor of the paper, writing editorials and local news. His wife Eliza contributed with articles on women issues, education and religion. In 1883, Otis and H. H. Boyce became co-owners of the Times, and in 1886 Otis bought out all Boyce’s interests and named himself president, general manager and editor-in-chief.

Publishing business

After the war, Otis returned to his position at the Los Angeles Times. He used his business and political influence as well as his newspaper to sway the public opinion on his side. His support for Los Angeles was instrumental in the growth of the city. He was a member of the San Fernando Syndicate, a group of investors who bought land in the San Fernando Valley based on inside knowledge that the Los Angeles aqueduct would soon irrigate it. Otis used the Times to frighten citizens (with news stories of a false drought) to vote for a 1905 bond issue that funded the aqueduct. He was also instrumental in the development of Los Angeles Harbor at San Pedro. During his stay at the head of the Times, Los Angeles grew from a small town of 12,000 people to a major urban area with a population of over 500,000.

Otis was known for his right-wing political views, which were reflected in the paper. He was instrumental in suppression of Los Angeles' burgeoning labor movement. In 1910, in retaliation for his attacks on organized labor, the brothers James and John McNamara bombed the Los Angeles Times Building, killing 20 people. Otis used the event to further his fight against unions.

Later career and death

When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, Otis asked his former commander William McKinley, now the commander-in-chief, for an appointment as Assistant Secretary of War. Secretary of War Russell A. Alger however did not want the conservative Otis serving under him, and Otis was rejected. Now at the age of 62, Otis volunteered for the army once again and was appointed brigadier general of volunteers. He served in the Philippines, commanding the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, VIII Corps during the Philippine-American War.

His home, also known as the Bivouac, was later donated to the County of Los Angeles and became the Otis Art Institute, now called Otis College of Art and Design

.

Otis remained on the front of the Los Angeles Times until his death, working closely with his successor Harry Chandler, the husband of his daughter, Marian Otis Chandler. Shortly before his death, Otis donated his MacArthur Park property together with its Spanish-Moorish mansion “The Bivouac” to the County of Los Angeles “for the advancement of the arts”. It was turned into Otis Art Institute in 1918, as the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California.

Otis died on July 30, 1917, in Los Angeles, California.

Legacy

Harrison Gray Otis built Los Angeles Times into a prosperous newspaper and important political power in California. Its firm conservative editorials and uncompromised stance against labor unions helped employers in California keep the open shop (a place of employment that does not require union membership) policies. His venomous attacks on unions, however led to the clash with unions and bombing of the Times building in which 20 people died.

Otis was also one of the key figures in the growth and prosperity of Los Angeles and California in general. Under his influence L.A. grew from a small frontier town to a major urban area with more than half-million people. He helped build the harbor and brought water supply 240 miles over the mountains from the Owens River.

Publications

Otis, Eliza A., Condon, Ann G., and Otis, Harrison G. 2001. Architects of our fortunes - the journal of Eliza A.W. Otis, 1860-1863 with letters and Civil War journal of Harrison Gray Otis. San Marino, CA: Huntington Library. ISBN 0873281810

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Denger, Mark J. Major-General Harrison Gray Otis, U.S.V. The California State Military Museum, on <http://www.militarymuseum.org>. Retrieved on November 25, 2007, from <http://www.militarymuseum.org/Otis.html>
Harrison Gray Otis. Online Archive of California, on <http://oac.cdlib.org/>. Retrieved on November 25, 2007, from <http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=tf7s2010q6&chunk.id=bioghist-1.3.4&brand=oac>

External links

Harrison Gray Otis and his Times – On the bombing of the L.A. Times
Major-General Harrison Gray Otis, U.S.V. – Biography on the California State Military Museum
McNamara brothers – On the background of 1910 bombing.
Otis College of Art and Design – Official website of the school

Credits

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Category:Media Professionals]]
 {{epname|Otis, Harrison Gray}}
+:''This article is about the publisher and soldier. For the United States Representative and Senator from Massachusetts, see: [[Harrison Gray Otis (lawyer)]].''
+----
+'''Harrison Gray Otis''' (February 10, 1837 &ndash; July 30, 1917) was an [[United States|American]] [[newspaper]] mogul, the owner and editor-in-chief of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Under his leadership the ''Times'' became a firm [[right-wing]] bastion in fight against [[labor union]]s. Otis also played important role in the development of [[Los Angeles]] and [[California]] in general. He fought in the [[American Civil War]], and, as brigadier-general, participated in the [[Philippine-American War]].
+==Biography==
+===Early life and education===
+'''Harrison Gray Otis''' was born near Marietta, [[Ohio]], the youngest of sixteen children of Stephen and Sarah Otis. His family was famous for its patriotism - his grandfather served in the [[Revolutionary War]], while his father was an [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] who helped runaway slaves. Otis received little formal [[education]]. At the age of 14 he started to work as a printer’s apprentice, deciding to pursue career in publishing. He later studied at a commercial college in Columbus, [[Ohio]].
+===Start of a career===
+Otis married in 1959 to Eliza A. Wetherby and settled down in Louisville, [[Kentucky]]. He started to work for the ''Louisville Journal'', under the famous editor, [[George D. Prentice]]. He also briefly dove into political waters, being elected to the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] National Convention that nominated [[Abraham Lincoln]] for president. After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] broke out, he volunteered for the [[Union army]] and fought in [[William McKinley]]'s regiment, the 23rd Ohio Infantry. He became a highly regarded officer.
+After the war in 1867, Otis became a compositor and later a Foreman of Printing in the [[Government Printing Office]] in Washington, D.C. He also joined the International Typographers' Union. From 1871 to 1876 he worked in the U.S. Patent office. During that time he visited [[California]] a couple of times and saw it as a land of opportunity. In 1870 he resigned from all his positions and moved with his family to [[Santa Barbara]], California.
-:''This article is about the publisher and soldier. For the United States Representative and Senator from Massachusetts, see: [[Harrison Gray Otis (lawyer)]].''
-----
 [[Image:Postcard-ca-los-angeles-residence-gen-otis.jpg|thumb|Home of Harrison Gray Otis in Los Angeles]]
-[[Image:Otis Bivouac.jpg|thumb|His home, also known as the Bivouac, was later donated to the County of Los Angeles and became the Otis Art Institute, now called [[Otis College of Art and Design]]. The home was later razed to make room for newer buildings.]]
-'''Harrison Gray Otis''' (10 February 1837 &ndash; July 30, 1917) was the second publisher of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.
-Born in [[Ohio]], he was part of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Republican National Convention|National Convention]] that nominated [[Abraham Lincoln]] for president.  He volunteered for the [[Union army ]]during the [[American Civil War]] and fought in [[William McKinley]]'s regiment, the [[23rd Ohio Infantry]].  After the war, he worked as a publisher before moving to [[California]].
+===Acquiring the ''Los Angeles Times''===
+After moving to [[California]], Otis took over the [[Santa Barbara Daily Press]] from William W. Hollister. He also attempted several other businesses. However, after his business ventures went bad, in 1882 he scraped together $6,000 and bought quarter interests in the newly founded ''Los Angeles Daily Times''. He became editor of the paper, writing editorials and local news. His wife Eliza contributed with articles on women issues, [[education]] and [[religion]]. In 1883, Otis and [[H. H. Boyce]] became co-owners of the ''Times'', and in 1886 Otis bought out all Boyce’s interests and named himself president, general manager and editor-in-chief.
-He worked for smaller newspapers before becoming affiliated with the ''Times''. He wrote editorials and local news before buying a half interest in the paper.  He then named himself president and editor-in-chief.
+===Publishing business===
+After the war, Otis returned to his position at the ''Los Angeles Times''. He used his business and political influence as well as his newspaper to sway the public opinion on his side. His support for [[Los Angeles]] was instrumental in the growth of the city. He was a member of the San Fernando Syndicate, a group of investors who bought land in the [[San Fernando Valley]] based on inside knowledge that the Los Angeles aqueduct would soon irrigate it. Otis used the ''Times'' to frighten citizens (with news stories of a false drought) to vote for a 1905 bond issue that funded the aqueduct. He was also instrumental in the development of Los Angeles Harbor at [[San Pedro]]. During his stay at the head of the ''Times'', Los Angeles grew from a small town of 12,000 people to a major urban area with a population of over 500,000.
-When the [[Spanish-American War]] broke out in 1898, Otis asked his former commander William McKinley, now the [[commander-in-chief]], for an appointment as [[Assistant Secretary of War]].  [[United States Secretary of War|Secretary of War]] [[Russell A. Alger]] did not want the conservative Otis serving under him however.  Instead, Otis volunteered for the army once again and was appointed [[brigadier general]] of volunteers.  He served in the [[Philippines]].  He did not see any action against the [[Spain|Spanish]], but commanded the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, VIII Corps during the [[Philippine-American War]].
+Otis was known for his [[right-wing]] political views, which were reflected in the paper. He was instrumental in suppression of Los Angeles' burgeoning [[labor union|labor movement]]. In 1910, in retaliation for his attacks on organized labor, the brothers James and John McNamara bombed the ''Los Angeles Times'' Building, killing 20 people. Otis used the event to further his fight against unions.
-After the war, he returned to his position at the ''Times''.  His support for [[Los Angeles, California]], was instrumental in the growth of the city. He was a member of the [[San Fernando Syndicate]], a group of investors who bought land in the [[San Fernando Valley]] based on inside knowledge that the [[Los Angeles aqueduct]] would soon irrigate it. Otis used the Times to frighten citizens (with news stories of a false drought) to vote for a 1905 bond issue that funded the aqueduct.
+===Later career and death===
+When the [[Spanish-American War]] broke out in 1898, Otis asked his former commander [[William McKinley]], now the [[commander-in-chief]], for an appointment as Assistant Secretary of War. [[United States Secretary of War|Secretary of War]] [[Russell A. Alger]] however did not want the conservative Otis serving under him, and Otis was rejected. Now at the age of 62, Otis volunteered for the army once again and was appointed [[brigadier general]] of volunteers. He served in the [[Philippines]], commanding the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, VIII Corps during the [[Philippine-American War]].
-His home was one of three buildings that were targeted in the 1910 [[Los Angeles Times bombing]].
+[[Image:Otis Bivouac.jpg|thumb|His home, also known as the Bivouac, was later donated to the County of Los Angeles and became the Otis Art Institute, now called Otis College of Art and Design]].
-Otis was known for his [[right wing]] political views, which were reflected in the paper.
+Otis remained on the front of the ''Los Angeles Times'' until his death, working closely with his successor [[Harry Chandler]], the husband of his daughter, Marian Otis Chandler. Shortly before his death, Otis donated his MacArthur Park property together with its [[Spain|Spanish]]-[[Moores|Moorish]] mansion “The Bivouac” to the County of Los Angeles “for the advancement of the arts”. It was turned into [[Otis Art Institute]] in 1918, as the first public, independent professional school of [[art]] in Southern California.
-He was succeeded as publisher of the ''Los Angeles Times'' by  [[Harry Chandler]], the husband of his daughter, [[Marian Otis Chandler]].
+Otis died on July 30, 1917, in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].
-==Otis College of Art and Design==
+==Legacy==
-'''Otis College of Art and Design''' is an [[art school|art and design college]] located in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. It is generally referred to as Otis.
-The school's programs, accredited by [[WASC]] and [[National Association of Schools of Art and Design]], include four-year degrees in the typical art school fare: [[illustration]], [[fine art]]s, [[graphic design]], [[architecture]], [[landscape design]], [[interior design]], and [[fashion design]] as well as newer fields such as [[digital media]], [[toy]] design, and interactive [[product design]]. It also offers MFA degrees in fine arts and writing. Undergraduate students choose a major in their second year, after completing a battery of traditional drawing, painting, composition, and construction classes in their first or "Foundation" year. In addition to studio work, standard [[liberal arts]] courses are required, although traditional [[history]] courses are replaced by [[art history]].
+Harrison Gray Otis built [[Los Angeles Times]] into a prosperous [[newspaper]] and important political power in [[California]]. Its firm [[conservative]] editorials and uncompromised stance against [[labor union]]s helped employers in California keep the open shop (a place of employment that does not require union membership) policies. His venomous attacks on unions, however led to the clash with unions and bombing of the ''Times'' building in which 20 people died.
-Otis began in 1918, when ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' founder [[Harrison Gray Otis]] bequeathed his [[MacArthur Park]] property to start the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California. The main campus, located in the [[Westchester, Los Angeles, California]], close to the [[Los Angeles International Airport]], is anchored by the 1963 [[IBM]] building (famous for its computer "punchcard" style windows) and a contemporary fine arts facility.
+Otis was also one of the key figures in the growth and prosperity of [[Los Angeles]] and [[California]] in general. Under his influence L.A. grew from a small frontier town to a major urban area with more than half-million people. He helped build the harbor and brought water supply 240 miles over the mountains from the Owens River.
-Otis has been long considered one of the major art institutions in California. It is considered among the top ten nationwide, often falling somewhere in the top five. [http://www.thefutureschannel.com/conversations_archive/wickser_conversation.php] Its fashion design program, with a separate campus in the [[California Market Center]] in downtown Los Angeles, is considered one of the top four fashion institutions in the world and the top fashion institution on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]. The school was originally named Otis Art Institute. From 1978 until 1991, it was affiliated with New York's Parsons School of Design and known as Otis-Parsons (full name: Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design). This affiliation allowed students to spend a semester or more at the Parsons schools in New York and Paris. In 1991, it became independent and known as Otis College of Art and Design. Today it is the most culturally diverse school of art and design in the country. Its 1100 students, from 39 states and 26 countries, mirror the world as well as the emerging work place.
+==Publications==
+* Otis, Eliza A., Condon, Ann G., and Otis, Harrison G. 2001. ''Architects of our fortunes - the journal of Eliza A.W. Otis, 1860-1863 with letters and Civil War journal of Harrison Gray Otis.'' San Marino, CA: Huntington Library. ISBN 0873281810
+==References==
+* Denger, Mark J. ''Major-General Harrison Gray Otis, U.S.V.'' The California State Military Museum, on <http://www.militarymuseum.org>. Retrieved on November 25, 2007, from <http://www.militarymuseum.org/Otis.html>
+* ''Harrison Gray Otis''. Online Archive of California, on <http://oac.cdlib.org/>. Retrieved on November 25, 2007, from <http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=tf7s2010q6&chunk.id=bioghist-1.3.4&brand=oac>
 ==External links==
-* [http://www.californiahistory.net/8_pages/labor_Otis.htm Harrison Gray Otis and his Times]
-* [http://www.militarymuseum.org/Otis.html Major-General Harrison Gray Otis, U.S.V.]
+* [http://www.californiahistory.net/8_pages/labor_Otis.htm Harrison Gray Otis and his ''Times''] – On the bombing of the L.A. Times
-* [http://www.otis.edu Otis College of Art and Design website]
+* [http://www.militarymuseum.org/Otis.html Major-General Harrison Gray Otis, U.S.V.] – Biography on the California State Military Museum
+* [http://libraries.uc.edu/libraries/arb/exhibits/mcnamara/bombing.html McNamara brothers] – On the background of 1910 bombing.
+* [http://www.otis.edu Otis College of Art and Design] – Official website of the school
 {{Credits|Harrison_Gray_Otis|117596697|Otis_College_of_Art_and_Design|160184330|}}