James Russell Wiggins

James Russell Wiggins
Wiggins' photo as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
James Russell Wiggins
Born	4 12, 1903
Birthplace	Luverne, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	Template:Death date and age Brooklin, Maine, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Newspaper editor, diplomat
Title	8th United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Known for	Executive editor of The Washington Post; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

James Russell Wiggins (December 4, 1903 – November 19, 2000) was an American newspaper editor, journalist, and diplomat who served as the executive editor of The Washington Post and as the eighth United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Born in the small town of Luverne, Minnesota, Wiggins began his journalism career as a teenager and rose through the ranks of American newspapers over the course of several decades, ultimately guiding the editorial direction of one of the nation's most influential publications during the turbulent Cold War era. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as the U.S. representative to the United Nations, a post he held briefly before the end of Johnson's administration. After his diplomatic service, Wiggins returned to his first love — local journalism — purchasing and editing The Ellsworth American in Maine, where he remained active well into his nineties. His career spanned nearly the entire twentieth century and touched upon some of the most significant issues in American journalism, including press freedom, the role of newspapers in a democratic society, and the responsibilities of editors in times of national crisis.

Early Life

James Russell Wiggins was born on December 4, 1903, in Luverne, Minnesota, a small community in the southwestern corner of the state. His early exposure to journalism came while he was still in high school, where he edited the school newspaper. The commencement exercises of his graduating class in 1922 were held at the Palace Theatre in Luverne, reflecting the customs of small-town America in the early twentieth century.

Wiggins demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. By 1926, while still in his early twenties, he had purchased a newspaper publishing business, establishing himself as a proprietor in the field he would dedicate his life to. This early acquisition demonstrated the ambition and initiative that would characterize his professional trajectory throughout the decades to come.

Growing up in rural Minnesota during the early 1900s, Wiggins came of age in a period of significant transformation in American media. Newspapers were the dominant source of news and information, and the profession of journalism was becoming increasingly professionalized. Wiggins did not attend college, which was not uncommon for journalists of his generation, but his lack of formal higher education did not hinder his ascent through the ranks of American journalism. Instead, he relied on a combination of natural talent, self-education, and relentless dedication to the craft of reporting and editing.

Career

Early Newspaper Career

Wiggins's career in journalism began in his home state of Minnesota. After purchasing a newspaper business in 1926, he gained experience in the practical aspects of running a publication — from reporting and editing to the business operations that sustained local newspapers. His ascent through American journalism took him from editing his high school newspaper through progressively larger publications, building a reputation as a skilled editor with strong convictions about the role of the press in a free society.

Over the following decades, Wiggins advanced through the ranks of increasingly prominent newspapers. His editorial judgment, commitment to factual reporting, and understanding of the newspaper business brought him to the attention of major publications. His career trajectory carried him from small-town Minnesota newspapers to positions of national influence.

The Washington Post

Wiggins's most prominent role in journalism was his tenure as executive editor of The Washington Post, where he became one of the most influential figures in American newspaper publishing during the mid-twentieth century. Under his leadership, the Post solidified its position as one of the leading newspapers in the United States, covering the major political and social events of the era from the nation's capital.

As executive editor, Wiggins was responsible for overseeing the editorial content and journalistic direction of the newspaper. He served in this capacity during a period of enormous significance in American history, including the height of the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and the early years of American involvement in Vietnam. The Post, under Wiggins and publisher Katharine Graham, grew in stature and influence during this time.

Wiggins was a strong advocate for press freedom and the First Amendment rights of newspapers. Throughout his career, he wrote and spoke extensively about the responsibilities of the press in a democratic society and the dangers of government restrictions on journalism. His views on press freedom were informed by a deep reading of American history and the founding principles of the republic.

His editorial stance during the Vietnam War era aligned with the Johnson administration's policies, which later became a point of discussion among media historians. Wiggins supported the American effort in Vietnam through the newspaper's editorial pages, a position that reflected the views of a significant portion of the American establishment at the time but which became increasingly controversial as the war dragged on and public opinion shifted.

Wiggins served as executive editor of The Washington Post until 1968, when he departed to accept a diplomatic appointment from President Johnson. His long tenure at the newspaper left a significant mark on the institution, shaping its editorial policies, its standards of reporting, and its role as a watchdog of the federal government.

Ambassador to the United Nations

On September 25, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the resignation of George Ball as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations and his intention to nominate J. Russell Wiggins as Ball's successor. In his remarks, Johnson accepted Ball's resignation "with reluctance" and expressed confidence in Wiggins's ability to serve in the diplomatic post.

Wiggins assumed the post of the eighth United States Ambassador to the United Nations on October 7, 1968, succeeding George Ball. His appointment came at a particularly turbulent moment in both American and international affairs. The year 1968 had seen the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, widespread civil unrest in American cities, and upheaval at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. On the international stage, the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968 had further strained Cold War tensions.

Wiggins's tenure as ambassador was brief, lasting from October 7, 1968, until January 20, 1969, when the Johnson administration ended and President Richard Nixon took office. He was succeeded by Charles Yost. Despite the short duration of his service, the appointment represented recognition of Wiggins's decades of engagement with national and international affairs through his journalism career.

The appointment was not without controversy. Some critics noted the close relationship between Wiggins and the Johnson administration, particularly regarding the Vietnam War, and questioned whether the ambassadorship was a reward for the Post's editorial support of Johnson's policies. Wiggins himself maintained that his journalistic convictions were independently held.

The Ellsworth American

After his brief diplomatic service, Wiggins did not retire. Instead, in a move that surprised many in the Washington establishment, he purchased The Ellsworth American, a weekly newspaper in Ellsworth, Maine, and devoted the final three decades of his life to community journalism.

This return to small-town journalism was, in many ways, a return to Wiggins's roots. Having begun his career in the small newspapers of Minnesota, he found deep satisfaction in the hands-on work of producing a local publication that served its community directly. At The Ellsworth American, Wiggins was intimately involved in every aspect of the newspaper's production, from writing editorials and reporting local stories to overseeing the business operations.

Wiggins ran The Ellsworth American for approximately thirty years, a period that constituted the longest single chapter of his professional life. Under his stewardship, the newspaper served the communities of Hancock County, Maine, covering local government, community events, and the issues that affected the daily lives of its readers. He brought to the small weekly the same exacting standards and commitment to thorough reporting that had characterized his work at The Washington Post.

His decision to devote his later years to community journalism was frequently cited as evidence of his genuine love for the newspaper profession in its most fundamental form. While many of his contemporaries in Washington journalism moved into retirement, consulting, or television commentary, Wiggins chose to return to the kind of work that had first drawn him to the field as a young man in Minnesota.

The Ellsworth American continued to publish long after Wiggins's death, and in 2025, the newspaper commemorated its 175th anniversary with a special feature remembering Wiggins's contributions to the publication and to the community it served.

Advocacy for Press Freedom

Throughout his career, Wiggins was a prominent voice in defense of press freedom and the First Amendment. He wrote extensively on the subject, drawing on American history and constitutional principles to argue for robust protections of the free press. His writings and speeches on these topics contributed to national discussions about the relationship between the government and the media, particularly during periods of tension such as the Cold War and the Vietnam era.

Wiggins's advocacy was not merely theoretical. As executive editor of The Washington Post, he was in a position to implement his beliefs in the practical conduct of journalism. He championed the right of newspapers to report on government activities without prior restraint, to protect confidential sources, and to publish information that the government might prefer to keep secret. These principles, which Wiggins articulated and defended over decades, would later become central to some of the most significant press freedom cases in American history, including the Pentagon Papers case, which occurred after Wiggins had left the Post.

His scholarly interest in press freedom also led him to produce written works on the history of free press in America, tracing the evolution of press protections from the colonial era through the twentieth century. These works were recognized for their historical depth and their relevance to contemporary debates about the role of journalism in society.

Personal Life

After leaving Washington, Wiggins settled in Brooklin, Maine, where he lived for the remainder of his life. The small coastal town in Hancock County became his permanent home, and he became a well-known and respected member of the community.

Wiggins remained active in journalism and community affairs well into his nineties. His continued engagement with The Ellsworth American provided a structure and purpose to his later years that kept him intellectually vibrant and connected to the world around him.

James Russell Wiggins died on November 19, 2000, in Brooklin, Maine, at the age of 96, just fifteen days before what would have been his 97th birthday. His death was reported by major national newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, reflecting the significance of his contributions to American journalism and public life.

Recognition

Wiggins's contributions to journalism and public service earned him recognition from multiple quarters over the course of his long career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his hometown of Luverne, Minnesota, an honor that acknowledged his origins and his achievements on the national stage.

His appointment as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, though brief, represented the highest level of public service recognition, placing him among the select group of Americans who have represented the nation at the world's most prominent international body.

Wiggins's work at The Washington Post and his advocacy for press freedom earned him a lasting reputation in the annals of American journalism. His writings on press freedom and the history of the First Amendment continued to be referenced by scholars and journalists long after their initial publication.

His archival papers are held at the University of Maine, where they are available for research, reflecting the scholarly interest in his career and his contributions to American journalism and diplomacy.

His appearances and activities were also documented by C-SPAN, which maintains a record of his public engagements.

Legacy

James Russell Wiggins's career encompassed the full arc of twentieth-century American journalism, from the era of small-town newspaper proprietors to the age of the modern media conglomerate, and back again to community journalism. His trajectory — from high school newspaper editor in rural Minnesota to the executive editorship of one of America's most influential newspapers to a seat at the United Nations — represents one of the more remarkable journeys in the history of American media.

His decision to spend the final thirty years of his life running a small weekly newspaper in Maine, after having occupied some of the most prestigious positions in American journalism and diplomacy, spoke to his fundamental belief in the importance of local news and community-level journalism. At a time when the newspaper industry was beginning the consolidation and contraction that would accelerate in the twenty-first century, Wiggins's commitment to The Ellsworth American represented an affirmation of the value of small, independent newspapers.

His advocacy for press freedom remains relevant in ongoing debates about the relationship between government and media. The principles he articulated — the necessity of an independent press, the dangers of government secrecy, and the public's right to know — continue to inform discussions about journalism's role in democratic governance.

The Ellsworth American's 2025 commemoration of its 175th anniversary included remembrances of Wiggins's tenure, indicating that his impact on the publication and its community endured a quarter-century after his death.