Image of Blethen published in 1917

Clarance Brettun Blethen (also spelled Clarence;[1] February 1, 1879 – October 30, 1941[2]) was the son of Alden J. Blethen, and publisher of The Seattle Times from 1915 until his death in 1941. The C.B. Blethen Award is named for him.

Clarance was born on February 1, 1879, in Portland, Maine—he began working at the paper in 1900, becoming managing editor in 1905.[3] Following his father's death in 1915, Clarance became publisher of the newspaper, though its ownership was split amongst multiple heirs. In late 1929, Clarance bought all the shares owned by the other heirs and became sole owner of the paper.[4] While managing the paper, he turned away from the sensationalist stance his father had taken in publishing,[5] to a more sanitized style, banning the words gun and blood from appearing in stories.[6] In 1929, he sold 49.5% of The Seattle Times Company to Herman Ridder.[7] There are differing accounts on whether the deal completed in 1929 or 1930 and on the estimated millions in price.[7][8] In 2006, the stake was sold to McClatchy.[9]

Blethen died at his home in Medina, Washington in 1941.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Attested in multiple sources:
    • "Blethen, Clarence B., House, Queen Anne, Seattle, WA". Pacific Coast Architecture Database.
    • "Seattle Historic Sites: Seattle Times Building". Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. City of Seattle.
    • "Seattle Times Facade". HistoryLink Tours. HistoryLink.org.
  2. ↑ "C. B. BLETHEN, EDITOR OF SEATTLE TIMES, 62: Succeeded Father as Publisher—Active in Military Affairs". The New York Times. Vol. XCI, no. 30596. Seattle. Associated Press. October 31, 1941 [October 30]. p. 23. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 105706213.
  3. ↑ "GEN C.B. BLETHEN, SEATTLE TIMES PUBLISHER, DIES". The Atlanta Journal. Seattle. Associated Press. October 31, 1941. p. 40.
  4. ↑ "OWNS ALL SEATTLE TIMES.: Colonel Blethen, Son of Founder, Buys Out Other Heirs". The New York Times. Seattle. December 31, 1929 [December 30]. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 104811951.
  5. ↑ Boswell, Sharon; McConaghy, Lorraine (1996) [August 4]. "Centennials: Time to crow a bit". Centennial. The Seattle Times.
  6. ↑ Covell, Jeffrey L. "Seattle Times Company". International Directory of Company Histories – via Encyclopedia.com.
  7. 1 2 Richards, Bill (October 9, 2006). "A New Co-Owner for The Seattle Times". Seattle Weekly.
  8. ↑ "BUY INTO SEATTLE TIMES.; Ridders Obtain 40 Per Cent Interest From Colonel Blethen". The New York Times. Vol. LXXIX, no. 26279. Seattle. January 5, 1930 [January 4]. p. 24. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 99069065.
  9. ↑ Liedtke, Michael (June 27, 2006). "Press run ends for Knight Ridder". The Seattle Times. San Jose. Associated Press.
  10. ↑ "PUBLISHER DIES". The Bulletin. Seattle. United Press. October 31, 1941. p. 6.
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