Journalist. Born in Athens, Georgia, the son of Anne Gartrell and William S. Grady, a successful merchant. His father served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War, and was killed in 1864 at Petersburg. During Reconstruction, Grady was graduated from the University of Georgia and pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. He returned to Georgia in 1869 and took up a career in journalism. He wrote for the 'Rome Courier' until it went bankrupt in 1871. He then bought part ownership of the 'Atlanta Daily Herald', where on March 14, 1874, he published an editorial called 'The New South,' in which he advocated industrial development as a solution to the South's economic and social woes. In 1879, he purchased a quarter interest in the 'Atlanta Constitution' and became its editor. He spoke at the 1886 meeting of the New England Society in New York City, and reiterated the promise of a New South, spurring northern investment in Atlanta, and solidifying his role as the spokesman of the New South movement. He promoted industrialization and crop diversification as a path of Southern economic revitalization, and advocated reconciliation with the North. Under his management, the 'Atlanta Constitution' became one of the most popular weekly newspapers in the country. His career, however, was cut short when he succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 39. He was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2004.
Journalist. Born in Athens, Georgia, the son of Anne Gartrell and William S. Grady, a successful merchant. His father served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War, and was killed in 1864 at Petersburg. During Reconstruction, Grady was graduated from the University of Georgia and pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. He returned to Georgia in 1869 and took up a career in journalism. He wrote for the 'Rome Courier' until it went bankrupt in 1871. He then bought part ownership of the 'Atlanta Daily Herald', where on March 14, 1874, he published an editorial called 'The New South,' in which he advocated industrial development as a solution to the South's economic and social woes. In 1879, he purchased a quarter interest in the 'Atlanta Constitution' and became its editor. He spoke at the 1886 meeting of the New England Society in New York City, and reiterated the promise of a New South, spurring northern investment in Atlanta, and solidifying his role as the spokesman of the New South movement. He promoted industrialization and crop diversification as a path of Southern economic revitalization, and advocated reconciliation with the North. Under his management, the 'Atlanta Constitution' became one of the most popular weekly newspapers in the country. His career, however, was cut short when he succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 39. He was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bio by: Iola
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