Chandler, Norman

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{{epname|Chandler, Norman}}
 
{{epname|Chandler, Norman}}
  
'''Norman Chandler''' (September 14, 1899 - October 20, 1973) was the publisher of the [[Los Angeles Times]] from 1945 to 1960, and largely responsible for the success of the [[newspaper]]. Joining the team as a secretary to his father, ''LA Times'' owner [[Harry Chandler]], Norman Chandler helped to transform the daily newspaper from a conservative regional publication to one of the largest and widely read newspapers in the world. Seeking to create a [[community]]-like work environment, Chandler was one of the first employers of the 1930s and 1940s to offer various benefits to his employees, including [[health insurance]] and [[pension]] plans. His career with the ''LA Times'' would be followed by five Chandler generations.  
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'''Norman Chandler''' (September 14, 1899 - October 20, 1973) was the publisher of the [[Los Angeles Times]] from 1945 to 1960, and largely responsible for the success of the [[newspaper]]. Joining the team as a secretary to his father, ''LA Times'' owner [[Harry Chandler]], Norman Chandler helped to transform the daily newspaper from a conservative regional publication to one of the largest and widely read newspapers in the world. Seeking to create a [[community]]-like work environment, Chandler was one of the first newspaper employers of the 1930s and 1940s to offer benefits to his employees, including [[health insurance]] and [[pension]] plans. His career with the ''LA Times'' would be followed by five Chandler generations.  
  
 
==Life==
 
==Life==
'''Norman Chandler''' was born on September 14, 1899 in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], the first son of eight children. Born to father [[Harry Chandler]], and mother [[Marian Otis Chandler]], Norman was raised in a strict environment of little privileges despite family [[wealth]]. His mother, Marian, was the daughter of [[General Harrison Gray Otis]] who had purchased a share of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in 1882 and served as its publisher for 35 years. Upon his retirement, Otis welcomed son-in-law Harry Chandler, Norman’s father, into the family business, where he would serve at the ''LA Times''’ second publisher.  
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'''Norman Chandler''' was born on September 14, 1899 in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], the first son of eight children. Born to father [[Harry Chandler]], and mother [[Marian Otis Chandler]], Norman was raised in a strict environment of little privileges despite family [[wealth]]. His mother was the daughter of [[General Harrison Gray Otis]] who had purchased a share of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in 1882 and served as its publisher for 35 years. Upon his retirement, Otis welcomed his son-in-law Harry Chandler, Norman’s father, into the family business, where he would serve at the ''LA Times''’ second publisher.  
  
Henry Chandler was demanding of his children, and expected excellence from each one. Henry saw that many of the children, Norman included, worked manual labor as young adults. Norman, the eldest son and his father’s favorite, would later attend [[Stanford University]], where he was a member of [[Delta Kappa Epsilon]] [[fraternity]]. After graduation, in 1922 Chandler began working at the ''Los Angeles Times'' as a secretary to his father.  
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Harry Chandler was demanding of his children, and expected excellence from each one. Harry saw that many of the children, Norman included, worked manual labor as young adults. Norman, the eldest son and his father’s favorite, attended [[Stanford University]], where he was a member of [[Delta Kappa Epsilon]] [[fraternity]]. After graduation, in 1922 Chandler began working at the ''Los Angeles Times'' as a secretary to his father.  
  
Also in 1922, Chandler married college-sweetheart [[Dorothy Buffum Chandler]], whom he had met while at a school dance at Stanford; the couple would have two children, Camilla and [[Otis Chandler|Otis]]. Throughout Chandler’s impressive career with the ''LA Times'', his wife Dorothy would lead the Los Angeles' cultural revitalization in the 1950s and 1960s. She was responsible for the restoration of the [[Hollywood Bowl]], and for the construction of the Los Angeles Music Center.
+
Also in 1922, Chandler married college-sweetheart [[Dorothy Buffum Chandler]], whom he had met while at a school dance at Stanford; the couple would have two children, Camilla and [[Otis Chandler|Otis]]. Throughout Chandler’s impressive career with the ''LA Times'', his wife Dorothy would lead the Los Angeles' cultural revitalization. She was responsible for the restoration of the [[Hollywood Bowl]], and for the construction of the Los Angeles Music Center.
  
On October 20, 1973 Norman Chandler died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 74. His son Otis succeeded him as publisher, keeping the ''LA Times'' a family-run business for more than 100 years.
+
On October 20, 1973 Norman Chandler died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 74. His son Otis succeeded him as publisher, keeping the ''LA Times'' a successful family-run business for more than 100 years.
  
 
==Work==
 
==Work==
 
While working at the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Chandler emerged as a strong political and social force, despite his [[introversion|introverted]] and shy [[personality]] which stood in direct contrast to that of his father’s. Fulfilling a sense of duty, Chandler quickly became an excellent businessman, but had little passion for the cutthroat combat of political and economic struggles which his father sought to plaster on every page.  
 
While working at the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Chandler emerged as a strong political and social force, despite his [[introversion|introverted]] and shy [[personality]] which stood in direct contrast to that of his father’s. Fulfilling a sense of duty, Chandler quickly became an excellent businessman, but had little passion for the cutthroat combat of political and economic struggles which his father sought to plaster on every page.  
  
In September 1936, he was promoted to the position of general manager within the paper. As general manager, Chandler sought to improve the working environment of the [[newspaper]]. In 1937 he created the first personnel department within an American newspaper, and hired labor management expert [[Paul Bell]] to oversee it. Chandler sought to hire the best candidates at high wages, in order to retain employees and secure their happiness with the company. He signed off on nearly $200,000 annually in [[Christmas]] bonuses for his employees. In 1941 Chandler would be named president of the ''Los Angeles Times''.  
+
In September 1936, he was promoted to the position of general manager within the paper. As general manager, Chandler sought to improve the working environment of the [[newspaper]]. In 1937 he created the first personnel department within an American newspaper, and hired labor management expert [[Paul Bell]] to oversee it. Chandler sought to hire the best candidates at high wages and offered good benefits, in order to retain employees and secure their happiness with the company. He signed off on nearly $200,000 annually in [[Christmas]] bonuses for his employees. In 1941 Chandler would be named president of the ''Los Angeles Times''.  
  
Upon his father’s death in 1944, Chandler served as the newspaper’s publisher and just the third editor of the publication. Under his management, Chandler continually sought ways to reorganize what he called his ''Los Angeles Times'' “family.” As head of this “family”, Chandler organized a monthly employee newsletter, entitled “Among Ourselves.” The newsletter announced more personal news of his employees, including promotions, retirements, births, and deaths. Chandler also organized various employee picnic gatherings and retirement banquets to foster community spirit among his employees. He provided his employees with a company cafeteria, [[medical insurance]], and [[pension]] plans. He also allotted for office space within the newspaper headquarters for the [[Pfaffinger Foundation]], an emergency fund for employees. All of these offers amounted to a highly unusual work atmosphere for the 1930s and 1940s. Chandler’s workers responded favorably; the effects on stability and efficiency were measureless.  
+
Upon his father’s death in 1944, Chandler served as the newspaper’s publisher and just the third editor of the publication. In this role, Chandler continually sought ways to care for what he called his ''Los Angeles Times'' “family.” As head of this “family,Chandler organized a monthly employee newsletter, entitled “Among Ourselves.” The newsletter announced personal news of his employees, including promotions, retirements, births, and deaths. Chandler also organized various employee picnic gatherings and retirement banquets to foster community spirit among his employees. He provided his employees with a company cafeteria, [[medical insurance]], and [[pension]] plans. He also allotted office space within the newspaper headquarters for the [[Pfaffinger Foundation]], an emergency fund for employees. All of these offers amounted to a highly unusual work atmosphere for the 1930s and 1940s. Chandler’s workers responded favorably; the effects on stability and efficiency were immeasurable.  
  
The ''LA Times'' quickly prospered under Chandler, and gained national, as well as regional, prominence. In 1947 it became the largest-circulation newspaper in Los Angeles, and in 1961 the Sunday edition had a circulation of more than one million. Chandler modernized the newspaper’s operations, transforming the ''LA Times'' into one of the most automated newspapers in the United States. Chandler would retire as publisher in 1960, leaving the job to his son [[Otis Chandler]] who would pursue more editorial space aimed at liberal viewpoints. Norman Chandler remained with the ''Los Angeles Times'' as chairman of the board from 1961-1968. During this period Chandler sought to expand operations, and purchased the daily ''[[Newsday]]'' of Garden City, New York, the ''[[Orange Coast Daily Pilot]]'' in [[Orange County]], California, and the ''[[Dallas Times Herald]]'' of [[Texas]].
+
The ''LA Times'' quickly prospered under Chandler, and gained national, as well as regional, prominence. In 1947 it became the largest-circulation newspaper in Los Angeles, and in 1961 the Sunday edition had a circulation of more than one million. Chandler modernized the newspaper’s operations, transforming the ''LA Times'' into one of the most automated newspapers in the United States.  
 +
 
 +
Chandler would retire as publisher in 1960, leaving the job to his son [[Otis Chandler]], who broadened the perspective of the paper, making more editorial space available for liberal viewpoints. Norman Chandler remained with the ''Los Angeles Times'' as chairman of the board from 1961-1968. During this period Chandler sought to expand operations, and purchased the daily ''[[Newsday]]'' of Garden City, New York, the ''[[Orange Coast Daily Pilot]]'' in [[Orange County]], California, and the ''[[Dallas Times Herald]]'' of [[Texas]].
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
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==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 +
All links Retrieved December 15, 2007.
 
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9022387/Norman-Chandler Norman Chandler] Encyclopedia Britannica online.
 
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9022387/Norman-Chandler Norman Chandler] Encyclopedia Britannica online.
 
*[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809646-2,00.html The New World] ''Time'' Magazine, Monday, Jul. 15, 1957.  
 
*[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809646-2,00.html The New World] ''Time'' Magazine, Monday, Jul. 15, 1957.  

Revision as of 15:51, 15 December 2007

Norman Chandler (September 14, 1899 - October 20, 1973) was the publisher of the Los Angeles Times from 1945 to 1960, and largely responsible for the success of the newspaper. Joining the team as a secretary to his father, LA Times owner Harry Chandler, Norman Chandler helped to transform the daily newspaper from a conservative regional publication to one of the largest and widely read newspapers in the world. Seeking to create a community-like work environment, Chandler was one of the first newspaper employers of the 1930s and 1940s to offer benefits to his employees, including health insurance and pension plans. His career with the LA Times would be followed by five Chandler generations.

Life

Norman Chandler was born on September 14, 1899 in Los Angeles, California, the first son of eight children. Born to father Harry Chandler, and mother Marian Otis Chandler, Norman was raised in a strict environment of little privileges despite family wealth. His mother was the daughter of General Harrison Gray Otis who had purchased a share of the Los Angeles Times in 1882 and served as its publisher for 35 years. Upon his retirement, Otis welcomed his son-in-law Harry Chandler, Norman’s father, into the family business, where he would serve at the LA Times’ second publisher.

Harry Chandler was demanding of his children, and expected excellence from each one. Harry saw that many of the children, Norman included, worked manual labor as young adults. Norman, the eldest son and his father’s favorite, attended Stanford University, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, in 1922 Chandler began working at the Los Angeles Times as a secretary to his father.

Also in 1922, Chandler married college-sweetheart Dorothy Buffum Chandler, whom he had met while at a school dance at Stanford; the couple would have two children, Camilla and Otis. Throughout Chandler’s impressive career with the LA Times, his wife Dorothy would lead the Los Angeles' cultural revitalization. She was responsible for the restoration of the Hollywood Bowl, and for the construction of the Los Angeles Music Center.

On October 20, 1973 Norman Chandler died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 74. His son Otis succeeded him as publisher, keeping the LA Times a successful family-run business for more than 100 years.

Work

While working at the Los Angeles Times, Chandler emerged as a strong political and social force, despite his introverted and shy personality which stood in direct contrast to that of his father’s. Fulfilling a sense of duty, Chandler quickly became an excellent businessman, but had little passion for the cutthroat combat of political and economic struggles which his father sought to plaster on every page.

In September 1936, he was promoted to the position of general manager within the paper. As general manager, Chandler sought to improve the working environment of the newspaper. In 1937 he created the first personnel department within an American newspaper, and hired labor management expert Paul Bell to oversee it. Chandler sought to hire the best candidates at high wages and offered good benefits, in order to retain employees and secure their happiness with the company. He signed off on nearly $200,000 annually in Christmas bonuses for his employees. In 1941 Chandler would be named president of the Los Angeles Times.

Upon his father’s death in 1944, Chandler served as the newspaper’s publisher and just the third editor of the publication. In this role, Chandler continually sought ways to care for what he called his Los Angeles Times “family.” As head of this “family,” Chandler organized a monthly employee newsletter, entitled “Among Ourselves.” The newsletter announced personal news of his employees, including promotions, retirements, births, and deaths. Chandler also organized various employee picnic gatherings and retirement banquets to foster community spirit among his employees. He provided his employees with a company cafeteria, medical insurance, and pension plans. He also allotted office space within the newspaper headquarters for the Pfaffinger Foundation, an emergency fund for employees. All of these offers amounted to a highly unusual work atmosphere for the 1930s and 1940s. Chandler’s workers responded favorably; the effects on stability and efficiency were immeasurable.

The LA Times quickly prospered under Chandler, and gained national, as well as regional, prominence. In 1947 it became the largest-circulation newspaper in Los Angeles, and in 1961 the Sunday edition had a circulation of more than one million. Chandler modernized the newspaper’s operations, transforming the LA Times into one of the most automated newspapers in the United States.

Chandler would retire as publisher in 1960, leaving the job to his son Otis Chandler, who broadened the perspective of the paper, making more editorial space available for liberal viewpoints. Norman Chandler remained with the Los Angeles Times as chairman of the board from 1961-1968. During this period Chandler sought to expand operations, and purchased the daily Newsday of Garden City, New York, the Orange Coast Daily Pilot in Orange County, California, and the Dallas Times Herald of Texas.

Legacy

Norman Chandler expanded upon a family legacy that was instilled within him at birth. An excellent businessman, Chandler recognized the importance of a stable and welcoming work environment in order for business to be efficient and prosperous. Always one to recognize his success as coming from the success of his employees, Chandler was one of the fist employers to offers his workers extensive work-related benefits. Under Chandler the Los Angeles Times was transformed from a small, conservative journal, to an expansive and influential daily publication. The newspaper would remain family-run and successful for more than 100 years; it was eventually sold in March of 2000 to the Tribune Company of Chicago.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Berges, Marshall. The Life and Time of Los Angeles: A Newspaper, a Family, and a City. Atheneum Publishing, 1984. ISBN 0689114273.
  • McDougal, Dennis. Privileged Son: Otis Chandler and the Rise and Fall of the L.A. Times Dynasty. Da Capo Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0306811618.
  • Wink, Walter. The Powers That Be. Galilee Trade, 1999. ISBN 0385487525.

External Links

All links Retrieved December 15, 2007.

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