This week in South Georgia history.
Eugene Patterson, raised in Adel, born October 15, 1923
Eugene Corbett Patterson was born on October 15, 1923, in Valdosta, Georgia. He grew up on a small farm near Adel after his father lost his job during the Great Depression. As a teenager, he worked at the local Adel News. Patterson served as a tank commander during World War II and earned a Silver Star and Bronze Star for his actions. After the war, he pursued journalism, working for the Temple Daily Telegram, Macon Telegraph, and United Press before becoming executive editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Patterson won the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for his powerful stance on civil rights. He also served as managing editor of The Washington Post and editor of the St. Petersburg Times. Patterson was known for his ethics and outspoken views on social justice. He passed away in 2013, with his contributions to journalism and civil rights lasting as part of his legacy.
