Daniels, Frank Arthur, 1904-1986

Publisher of the Raleigh, N.C., "News and Observer"; civic leader in Raleigh, N.C.; son of Adelaide Worth Bagley and Josephus Daniels, founder of the "News and Observer," secretary of the Navy, and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

The fourth son of Adelaide Worth Bagley and Josephus Daniels was born 8 June 1904 and was named for his father's older brother, Frank Arthur Daniels. Josephus Daniels was editor of the Raleigh News and Observer ; secretary of the Navy, 1913-1921; and United States Ambassador to Mexico, 1933-1941.

Frank Daniels received an A.B. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1927. He married Ruth Aunspaugh on 20 November 1929. They had two children: Frank Arthur Daniels, Jr., born 7 September 1931, and Patricia (Patsy) Bagley Daniels (Mrs. Robert M. Woronoff), born 21 July 1933.

Frank Daniels made his career with the News and Observer, beginning in the pressroom. According to the News and Observer of 6 May 1986, Daniels was made treasurer in 1937, general manager in 1942, president in 1956, publisher in 1966, and chairman of the board in 1970. (Note: Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1969-1970, gives a different set of dates: treasurer, 1932-1956; general manager, 1942- ; president, 1956-; publisher, News and Observer and Raleigh Times .) He was active in professional organizations, serving as a member of the board of directors of the Associated Press; president of the North Carolina Publishers Association, 1948-1949; president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, 1951; a director of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, 1955-1964; and treasurer of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, 1963-1964.

In addition to his business activities, Daniels was involved in many civic activities. He was a member of the board of trustees of Rex Hospital in Raleigh from 1937 until 1968 and was chairman for the last eighteen of those years. He was president of the Raleigh Community Chest and chairman of the group that organized the United Fund in Raleigh. From 1948 to 1956, Daniels was chairman of the North Carolina Board of Public Welfare. From 1956 to 1957, he was a member of the North Carolina Tax Study Commission. He was also a trustee of the consolidated University of North Carolina and a member of the executive committee of the Research Triangle Institute.

Frank Daniels died in Raleigh, North Carolina, on 5 May 1986.