Tebbel, John William, 1912-2004

John William Tebbel was born in Boyne City, Michigan on November 16, 1912. Following graduation from Central Michigan College of Education (A.B. 1935) and Columbia (M.S. 1937), Tebbel went on to a career as a newspaper journalist, professor of journalism, and author.

John William Tebbel was born in Boyne City, Michigan, on November 16, 1912. Following graduation from Central Michigan College of Education (A.B. 1935) and Columbia (M.S. 1937), Tebbel went on to a career as a newspaper journalist, professor of journalism, and author.

John Tebbel (1912-2004) was an American journalist, editor, educator and media historian. Among other achievements he is know for his A History of Book Publishing in the United States, a 20-year effort published in four volumes from 1972 to 1980.

Born in Boyne City,Michigan, on November 16, 1912, Tebbel graduated from Central Michigan College of Education in 1935 and began his career as a writer and newspaperman, serving as city editor for the Isabella County, Michigan, Times-News . He also worked on a master's degree at Columbia University, which he received in 1937. He wrote for Newsweek magazine and worked as a reporter for the Detroit Free Press . In 1939 he became a writer for the Providence Journal ; in 1941 he became managing editor of the American Mercury . Two years later, he joined the Sunday staff of the New York Times, became an associate editor of the publishing firm E.P. Dutton & Co., and acted as an associate in journalism at Columbia. He served as chairman of the Journalism Department at New York University, and in 1958 was named the first director of their Graduate Institute of Book Publishing.

Tebbel was the author of numerous books, including "A History of Book Publishing in the United States," a biography of William Randolph Hearst, and two novels. He was also a regular contributor to the Saturday Review and other magazines.

Tebbel married the former Kathryn Carl with whom he had one daughter.