Ralph Jules Frantz
Ralph Jules Frantz was an American newspaperman born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1902. He began his journalism career in 1919 at the Springfield Sun, eventually moving to Cleveland in 1922 to work for the Cleveland Times in various editorial roles. In 1925, he made a significant transition to Paris, where he spent nearly a decade with the Paris Tribune, ascending from copy editor to managing editor. His years in Paris greatly influenced his perspective and contributions to journalism, and upon returning to the United States in 1935, he held editorial positions at the New York Herald-Tribune and the Bergen Record until his retirement in 1971. Frantz was also a cofounder of the Overseas Press Club and served in leadership roles, reflecting his commitment to journalism. Later in life, he opted for a more relaxed approach to writing, expressing a desire to step back from publishing after a long career. He passed away from cancer in New Jersey in 1979, leaving behind a legacy of editorial excellence and a rich history in journalism.
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Ralph Jules Frantz
Nonfiction Writer
- Born: November 1, 1902
- Birthplace: Springfield, Ohio
- Died: November 3, 1979
- Place of death: Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Biography
Ralph Jules Frantz was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1902. The son of an industrialist, he began his lifetime career as a newspaperman in 1919 at the Springfield Sun, where he served as a reporter and sports editor. He moved to Cleveland in 1922 and worked for the Cleveland Times, serving in a variety of editorial capacities. In 1925 he moved to Paris, like many other writers of his generation, and attended classes at the Sorbonne. During his nine years with the Paris Tribune, the Paris branch of the Chicago Tribune, he worked his way up from copy editor to managing editor. Frantz returned to the United States in 1935. He held a series of editorial positions at the New York Herald-Tribune until 1966 and at the Bergen Record until his retirement in 1971.
Frantz’s years in Paris were never far from his mind. He was a cofounder of the Overseas Press Club and served as its vice president from 1950 to 1955. He served on the advisory board of the Lost Generation Journal. Eager to share recollections of his life abroad, Frantz contributed an essay to editor Hugh Ford’s 1972 book The Left Bank Revisited: Selections from the Paris Tribune, 1917-1934. During the later years of his life, Frantz stayed semiactive as a writer but chose to enjoy his retirement rather than aggressively pursue publication. He wrote that “having edited millions of words of bad writing, I have no desire to contribute to the flood.” He died of cancer in New Jersey in 1979.