J. Reginald Murphy

John Reginald Murphy (born 1933), usually known as Reg Murphy, is a publisher and business executive. A native of Gainesville, Georgia and a graduate of Mercer University,[1] Murphy began his career in journalism with the Macon Telegraph. He became editor of the Atlanta Constitution, editor and publisher of The San Francisco Examiner, and publisher and CEO of The Baltimore Sun. From 1994–1995, Murphy served as the president of the United States Golf Association.[2] Murphy was president and CEO of the National Geographic Society from 1996–1998. He authored a biography of Griffin Bell, Uncommon Sense: The Achievement of Griffin Bell. In 2012 he served as Executive-in-Residence at the College of Coastal Georgia.[3]

Kidnapping

Murphy was kidnapped on February 20, 1974, at the age of 40, and was freed two days later after the Atlanta Constitution paid $700,000 ransom.[2] Murphy was well known for his stance against the Vietnam War, but the motive for the kidnapping is still unknown.[4] William A. H. Williams was arrested for the crime only six hours after Murphy was released, and all of the money was recovered.[5] Williams was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in jail but served only nine.[2] Williams claimed to represent a right-wing militia group called The American Revolutionary Army and sought to have all federal elected officials resign.[6]

Family

Murphy has a wife named Diana and two daughters.[2]

References
  1. Murphy, Reg. "Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 104 Reg Murphy". Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  2. Murphy, Reg. "Reg Murphy: Golf Eased My Mind: Golf Digest". Gold Digest. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  3. Murphy, Reg. "Reg Murphy to Serve as College's Inaugural Executive-in-Residence". Archived from the original on 20 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  4. "Atlanta Constitution editor is kidnapped - History.com This Day in History - 2/20/1974". History. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  5. "Notable U.S. Kidnappings Since 1924". World Almanac Education Group. The History Channel. 2006. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  6. "1974: "The American Revolution Army" demanded that "all federal elected officials resign" and more". Rumor Mill News. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2013.


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