McPherson, Holt, 1906-

Holt McPherson, editor of the High Point Enterprise, was born in High Point, N.C., in 1906. In 1928, McPherson graduated from the University of North Carolina with a BA in journalism. When he became editor of the "High Point Enterprise" in 1930 at age 24, McPherson was the youngest editor of a daily newspaper in North Carolina. He served as editor 1930-1937 and 1952-1972. He also served as an editor in the Fort Lauderdale bureau of the "Miami Herald," 1937-1941, and editor of the "Shelby Daily Star", 1941-1952. In addition to his professional involvement, McPherson was a civic leader, serving as chair of the board of High Point College, president of the Journalism Foundation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and chair of the North Carolina Medical Care Commission. He was a national leader in the United Methodist Church, a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of High Point, and a board member of the Triad United Methodist Home in Winston-Salem. Holt McPherson died on 10 August 1979 at age 72.

From the description of Holt McPherson papers, 1930-1979. WorldCat record id: 46547924

Holt McPherson, editor of the High Point Enterprise, was born in High Point, N.C., on 1 December 1906. McPherson worked as a newspaper carrier in his youth and later graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in journalism in 1928. When he became editor of the High Point Enterprise in 1930 at age 24, McPherson was the youngest editor of a daily newspaper in North Carolina. He continued as editor of the Enterprise until 1937 when doctors recommended that he and his wife Elsie relocate to Florida to help her recover from chronic rheumatic fever. In Florida, McPherson took a position in the editorial department at the Fort Lauderdale bureau of the Miami Herald . Four years later in 1941, the McPhersons returned to North Carolina where Holt became managing editor of the Shelby Daily Star . McPherson served as the Star 's editor for eleven years until 1952 when he returned to High Point and resumed the editorship of the Enterprise, a position he held until his retirement in 1972. As one of the most prominent journalists in North Carolina, McPherson served in leadership positions in a number of professional organizations including the American Council on Education for Journalism (ACEJ), the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE), the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA), and the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA).

In addition to his professional involvement, McPherson was also a civic leader. He served as chair of the Board of High Point College, president of the Journalism Foundation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and chair of the North Carolina Medical Care Commission. He was a national leader in the United Methodist Church, a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of High Point, and a board member of the Triad United Methodist Home in Winston-Salem, N.C. In 1969, McPherson donated some 2,000 books and other items to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill forming the McPherson Journalism Collection, and in 1974 he contributed $1 million to the endowment of High Point College.

Holt McPherson died on 10 August 1979 at age 72.

From the guide to the Holt McPherson Papers, 1930-1979, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)