Thomas J. Anderson

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This article is about the author. For the composer, see T. J. Anderson.

Thomas Jefferson Anderson ( November 10, 1910 - August 30, 2002) was a conservative author, farmer, and candidate for the U.S. presidency.

Anderson was born in Nashville, Tennessee; the second of five children born to William Joseph and Nancy Lou Anderson. After graduating from the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Anderson received a degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in 1934. At Vanderbilt he exceled in athletics, earning varsity letters as a member of both the varsity tennis and track teams. He was also the business editor of the school's yearbook, The Commodore, and served on the student newspaper staff. Anderson was elected president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.

In 1934, Anderson married the former Carolyn Montague Jennings, of Franklin, Tennessee. Miss Jennings, also a graduate of Vanderbilt University, was elected "Miss Vanderbilt" during her senior year.

After graduation, Anderson worked his way upwards through various sales and journalist positions, mainly in the rural press.

Eventually he became publisher and editor of Farm and Ranch magazine, a monthly, then weekly publication, based in Dallas, Texas. Anderson was the supervising editor and author of the column, Straight Talk which appeared in the magazine and was reprinted in more 375 newspapers. In 1957 a series of the columns were reprinted in a book, also entitled Straight Talk.

In 1972, he was the American Independent Party vice presidential candidate, running with Congressman John G. Schmitz. In 1976, he was the American Party presidential candidate. He has also run for the U.S. Senate as an independent in his home state of Tennessee.

He remained active in conservative politics, notably as a council member of John Birch Society. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Bob Jones University.

Anderson died on August 30, 2002 in Raleigh, North Carolina.