User:Visviva/Edward Giles Irvin

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

Edward Giles Irvin (August 13, 1893 – November 4, 1982) 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.

Early life

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

Kappa Alpha Psi

After graduating high school, Irvin enrolled at Indiana University. 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".

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

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

Journalistic career

Main article: The Shining Star (Anderson)

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

Irvin published The Shining Star in Anderson from 1922 to about 1927. It is the only known African-American newspaper ever published there. 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. The local news in The Shining Star was dominated by the activities of churches and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, of which Irvin was a member. The Shining Star exhorted its readers to support local Anderson businesses and lift up the local community. Its coverage, however, was not limited to Anderson, as it provided a weekly column about nearby Muncie as well. Irvin was successful at expanding the paper from initially being a leaflet to an eight-page paper.

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

Later life and legacy

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

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

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

Works cited

• 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.

See also

• Kappa Alpha Psi

External links

• Edward Giles Irvin official biography

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)