Morrison, Joseph L.

Joseph Lederman Morrison was born Joseph Lederman in New York City in 1918. After graduation from the University of North Carolina in 1940, he taught at the University for one year. After working for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot in 1941, he served as first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, 1942-1946, where he edited Armed Services publications. In 1946, he returned to teaching in the Department of Journalism at the University where he remained for the rest of his life.

In 1947, Morrison interned with the National Association of Broadcasters. Recipient of a CBS fellowship in 1957, he received his M.A. in American history from Columbia University in 1958 and his Ph.D. in American history from Duke University in 1961.

In addition to teaching journalism at UNC, Morrison worked with WRAL and WPTF radio in Raleigh, edited trade articles for Cantor Publishing Company in New York, wrote articles for Grolier Encyclopedia International, and played violin in the University Symphony.

Morrison's books include Opportunities in Business Papers (1955); Chapel Hill Guide (1955); Josephus Daniels Says (1962); Josephus Daniels, Small-d Democrat (1966); W. J. Cash, Southern Prophet (1967); and Governor O. Max Gardner (1971). He also wrote articles on W. J. Cash, H. L. Mencken, W. C. Brann, and Josephus Daniels for various scholarly journals.

In 1946, Morrison married Pearl Penner. They had two children, Lucy and Peter. Morrison died in 1970.

From the guide to the Joseph L. Morrison Papers, ., 1822-1970, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)