User:Visviva/Edward Giles Irvin

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Edward Giles Irvin
BornAugust 13, 1893
Spencer, Indiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 4, 1982
Occupation(s)Founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated; journalist

Edward Giles Irvin (August 13, 1893 – November 4, 1982)[1] was a journalist who founded the only African-American newspaper ever published in Anderson, Indiana, The Shining Star. He also worked on the Chicago Defender and Indianapolis Freeman. He is best remembered as a co-founder of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity as a student at Indiana University in 1911. At the time of his death he was the fraternity's oldest surviving founder.[2]

Early life[edit]

Irvin was born in Spencer, Indiana, on August 13, 1893.[1] He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1910.[3]

Kappa Alpha Psi[edit]

After graduating high school, Irvin enrolled at Indiana University.[3] He joined Elder Watson Diggs and other African American men in forming the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi, officially founded January 5, 1911. Irvin recalled that IU at the time was "probably the most prejudiced school in the United States".[4]

Irvin later became a member of the fraternity's first alumni chapter, the Chicago Alumni Chapter, established on April 6, 1919.[3]

He was a recipient of the Laurel Wreath, the highest recognition of achievement for the fraternity.

Journalistic career[edit]

Main article: The Shining Star (Anderson)

Irvin left Indiana University in 1911 and pursued a career in journalism.[3] He served on the staff of the Indianapolis Freeman, the first black illustrated newspaper.[3][5] and in March 1922, established his own newspaper called The Shining Star in Anderson, Indiana.[3]

Irvin published The Shining Star in Anderson from 1922[6] to about 1927.[7] It is the only known African-American newspaper ever published there.[7] Like many early black papers, The Shining Star placed a strong emphasis on self-improvement, publishing a new word and Bible quotation every week for its readers to memorize.[8] The local news in The Shining Star was dominated by the activities of churches and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows,[8] of which Irvin was a member.[9] The Shining Star exhorted its readers to support local Anderson businesses and lift up the local community.[8] Its coverage, however, was not limited to Anderson, as it provided a weekly column about nearby Muncie as well.[8] Irvin was successful at expanding the paper from initially being a leaflet to an eight-page paper.[3]

Irvin's success at The Shining Star garnered the attention of management at the Gary Sun, who offered Irvin the job of editor.[3] Irvin accepted the offer, but later left to become sports editor for the Chicago Daily Bulletin.[3]

Later life and legacy[edit]

Irvin was a veteran of World War I, and served on the Selective Service Board during World War II and the Korean War.[3] He was a recipient of a Distinguished Service Medal from both President Harry S. Truman and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.[3]

Irvin died on November 4, 1982, having been the last surviving founder of Kappa Alpha Psi.[3] He was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery on November 12, 1982.[3]

Irvin is memorialized in the name of the charitable arm of the Chicago alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi[10] and in the name of an annual Kappa Alpha Psi award.[11]

Works cited[edit]

  • Bigham, Darrel E. (1996). "The Black Press in Indiana, 1879-1985". In Suggs, Henry Lewis (ed.). The Black Press in the Middle West, 1865-1985. Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313255793.
  • Parks, Gregory S. (2008). "Edward G. Irvin". Black Greek-letter Organizations in the Twenty-First Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813138725.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Founder: Edward Giles Irvin". Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Official Website. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  2. ^ "Edward Irvin, 89, Dies; Was A Kappa Alpha Psi Founder". Jet. 1982-12-06. p. 18.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bryson, Ralph J. (2003). The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi: A History of the Beginning and Development of A College Greek Letter Organization 1911-1999. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
  4. ^ Leon Taylor (1979-06-03). "Case of missing founder". Evansville Press.
  5. ^ "Indiana Jim Crow". The History of Jim Crow. JimCrowHistory.org. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  6. ^ "About The shining star. [volume] (Anderson, Ind.) 1922-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress.
  7. ^ a b Bigham 1996, p. 51.
  8. ^ a b c d Bigham 1996, p. 58.
  9. ^ "Famous Odd Fellows". Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  10. ^ "Edward Giles Irvin". Edward G. Irvin Foundation. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  11. ^ "Edward Giles Irvin". Retrieved 2019-12-10.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]


Category:1893 births Category:1982 deaths Category:African-American military personnel Category:African-American publishers (people) Category:American publishers (people) Category:College fraternity founders Category:People from Spencer, Indiana Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)

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