Born in Emporia, Kansas on February 10, 1868, William Allen White was a nationally known newspaper editor for much of his life. The year following his birth, the family moved to El Dorado, where he grew up.​

 

White attended college first in Emporia, and later at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, from 1886 to 1890.

 

Known as the “Sage of Kansas”, he was a noted editorialist, journalist, author of many books, and editor of The Emporia Gazette. From Emporia he welded great influence on national decisions; his words were followed in every corner of the land.

 

Using his writing abilities to mold national opinion, White is remembered for his debates with the Populists, his progressive campaigns, his legendary battles against the Ku Klux Klan, and his efforts to “defend America by aiding the Allies.”

 

Many awards have been named for White, as well as a school of journalism. He was the recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes and the Gold Medal for Citizenship from the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association.