Jump to content

A. S. "Doc" Young

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A. S. "Doc" Young
Born(1919-10-29)October 29, 1919[1]
DiedSeptember 6, 1996(1996-09-06) (aged 76)[1]
EducationHampton Institute
Occupation(s)Journalist, writer
Notable credit(s)Chicago Defender
Ebony Magazine
Los Angeles Sentinel
SpouseHazel M. Young
ChildrenNorman Gregory Young, PhD; Brenda L. Young, Esq.
RelativesRuth Y. Wilson, sister

Andrew Spurgeon "Doc" Young (October 29, 1919 – September 6, 1996) was an American sports journalist and author. He was also one of the first African American publicists working in Hollywood.[2] Throughout his career he received numerous honors from the National Newspaper Publishers Association.[3]

Background

[edit]

Andrew Spurgeon Young was born in Dunbrooke, Virginia, the eldest child of Andrew P. Young and Gertrude Norman. In 1941, he graduated from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) with a bachelor's degree in business administration. While a student at Hampton, he served as editor of the school newspaper.[3]

Career

[edit]

As a young man, he was influenced by the work of Frank A. (Fay) Young (no relation), the first African American to have a weekly sports column.[4]

In the 1950s, he served in several top editorial positions at Jet Magazine and Ebony Magazine. He also worked in editorial positions at the Los Angeles Sentinel and the Chicago Defender.[3]

Young also has the distinction of being the first black publicist in Hollywood. He worked as a unit publicist on the films The Defiant Ones and Kings Go Forth.[2]

Additionally, Young is the author of several books, including Negro Firsts in Sports (Johnson Publishing Company, 1963).[3]

Death

[edit]

Young died in 1996 from pneumonia in Los Angeles.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Social Security Death Index [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Reynolds, J. R. (February 18, 1995). "The rhythm and the blues: Boyz II Men are top soul train nominees; BET special spotlights pioneer publicist". Billboard. New York City: BPI Communications: 20.
  3. ^ a b c d e Flanagan, Sylvia P., ed. (September 30, 1996). "A.S. 'Doc' Young, Noted Journalist-Author, Dies". Jet. 90 (20). Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.: 60.
  4. ^ Young, A.S. (Doc) (October 1970). Johnson, John H. (ed.). "The black sportswriter:The Black athlete in the golden age of sports-part IX". Ebony. 25 (12). Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.: 56–58, 60–62, 64.