P.L. Prattis

Percival Leroy (P.L.) Prattis (April 27, 1895–February 29, 1980) was an American journalist who become the city editor of the Chicago Defender, the most influential African-American weekly newspaper in the US at the beginning of World War I.

Life and career

P.L. Prattis was born on April 27, 1895, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the Hampton Institute from 1912 to 1915 and graduated in 1916 from the Ferris Institute. He served as a Battalion Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army during World War I, headquartered in the Company 813 Pioneer Infantry, stationed in France for nearly a year in 1918 and 1919. He was honorably discharged from his duties on July 23, 1919.

Prattis began his journalism career in 1919 as the editor of the newly formed Michigan State News in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1921, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, to become the city editor of the Chicago Defender, which was the most influential African-American weekly newspaper in the country at the beginning of World War I. In 1923, Prattis was hired as the city editor of the Associated Negro Press in Chicago, a position for which he travelled internationally on assignment and interviewed prominent world figures. He moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1936 to take a position with the Pittsburgh Courier.[1]

His wife, Helen Prattis, wrote poetry, some of which was printed in the Pittsburgh Courier during the 1950s. Their daughter, Patricia Prattis Jennings, became a renowned pianist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.[2]

When the Pittsburgh Courier was in financial jeopardy during the 1960s, Prattis donated $33,000 of his own money to help stabilize the paper.[3] On February 29, 1980, Prattis died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania.[1] His burial was at Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh.[4]

Prattis was honored posthumously for his part in African-American media and service to the Pittsburgh Courier at the 100th anniversary celebration for the Courier.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Percival L. Prattis Papers Finding Aid, 1916-1980, AIS.2007.01, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
  2. ↑ Srikameswaran, Anita (December 31, 2005). "Skillful seamstress, Pittsburgh Courier poet". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  3. ↑ Nuttall, Rebecca (November 17–23, 2010). "P.L. Prattis helped lead Courier to heyday". New Pittsburgh Courier. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "P.L. Prattis, 1895-1980". The Homewood Cemetery Historical Fund. 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  5. ↑ New Pittsburgh Courier Editorial Staff. "Courier celebrates 100 years". New Pittsburgh Courier. Real Times Media. Retrieved 5 May 2014.

External links

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