Richard Ruddock

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Lancelot Nixon Richard Ruddock (1837-1908) - known as Richard Ruddock - was a reporter, newspaper editor and a founder of the Sunderland Echo in the 19th century.

Contents

[edit] Early life

See also: Sunderland Echo

Richard Ruddock was born in Blyth, Northumberland on December 27, 1837 and became a compositor on the Northern Daily Express, based in Newcastle, after leaving school.[1][2][3]

[edit] Journalism career

Ruddock moved to Sunderland in 1859, where he worked on the Sunderland Herald newspaper for a year, and he was then appointed as agent and resident reporter in Sunderland for the Newcastle Chronicle.[4][5]

Ruddock established the Sunderland Penny Weekly News for the Chronicle's proprietors in 1865 and "warmly supported" John Candlish in his political battles of 1867-1868. During this time, Ruddock worked closely with Liberal councillor, and future MP for Sunderland, Samuel Storey. The pair would eventually become two of the original seven founders of the Sunderland Echo in 1873.[6][7][8]

Ruddock visited Egypt for health reasons in 1877 and, soon after his return in 1878, he succeeded James Annand as managing editor of the Newcastle Chronicle. It was a post he held until his death.[9][10]

His obituary in the Sunderland Echo on June 27, 1908, read: "Unlike Annand, who had resigned after falling out with the Chronicle's proprietor, Joseph Cowen, on the Eastern Question, the leading political issue of the day, Ruddock seems to have been content to do as Cowen wanted. His managing editorship was most notable for his avoidance of both labour disputes and libel actions."[11][12]

[edit] Personal life

Ruddock married Ann Whitfield, daughter of Captain James Whitfield of Sunderland, in 1861. The Census for this year shows he was living in Blandford Street, Sunderland, although he later moved to Argyle Square, Bishopwearmouth. He was survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters following his death in Newcastle on June 27, 1908.[13][14]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sunderland Daily Echo: June 27, 1908
  2. ^ Newcastle Chronicle: June 27, 1908
  3. ^ Book and News Trade Gazette: October 6, 1894
  4. ^ Newcastle Chronicle: June 27, 1908
  5. ^ Book and News Trade Gazette: October 6, 1894
  6. ^ Sunderland Daily Echo: June 27, 1908
  7. ^ Wearsideonline website (2007). Sunderland Echo. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.
  8. ^ Memberscox website (2007). Founding member. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.
  9. ^ Newcastle Chronicle: June 27, 1908
  10. ^ Sunderland Daily Echo: december 22, 1923
  11. ^ Sunderland Daily Echo: June 27, 1908
  12. ^ Book and News Trade Gazette: October 6, 1894
  13. ^ Newcastle Chronicle: June 27, 1908
  14. ^ Sunderland Daily Echo: december 22, 1923

[edit] Further reading

  • Sunderland Daily Echo: June 27, 1908 - obituary
  • Newcastle Chronicle: June 27, 1908 - obituary
  • Who Was Who
  • Book and News Trade Gazette: October 6, 1894, pp 238-9
  • Sunderland Daily Echo: December 22, 1923 - article on Echo founders