C.A. Scott, 92, Publisher Emeritus Of The Atlanta Daily World, Dies

Jet, May 29, 2000

Services were held recently in Atlanta for Cornelius Adolphus Scott, prominent editor/publisher emeritus of the Atlanta Daily World, who died at the age of 92.

Scott, who was affectionately called "C.A." by most and "Pop" by family members, took over the Atlanta Daily World in 1934 after the death of his brother, W.A. Scott II. He ran the newspaper until his retirement in 1997.

As publisher of the Atlanta Daily World, which was the nation's first Black daily newspaper in the 20th century, Scott fought for the integration of schools and businesses, voting rights and called for an end to violence against Blacks.

Born in Edwards, MS, he was educated at Morehouse and Morris Brown Colleges and the University of Kansas.

Scott was active in civic and civil rights groups and chaired the Public Affairs Committee of the NAACP.

He received numerous honors, including the Black Pioneer Journalist Award from the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and was inducted into the African-American Newspapers' Black Press Hall of Fame.

Scott was a faithful Christian and a member of Warren Memorial United Methodist Church.

He was married nearly 57 years to the late Ruth Perry Scott, who preceded him in death in December 1996. They had two daughters, Jocelyn Scott Walker, who is deceased; and Portia Alexandria Scott.

Founded in 1928 as a monthly, the Atlanta Daily World was envisioned as anchor to a chain of newspapers across the U.S. and Africa. It became a weekly in 1928 and a tri-weekly in 1931.

The Scott brothers started the nation's first chain of Black newspapers called the Scott Newspaper Syndicate. The chain started about 50 papers between 1928 and 1934 as far west as Phoenix and as far north as Des Moines, IA. The Birmingham World newspaper was born in 1930 and the Memphis World in 1931.

In March 1932, the Atlanta World became the first Black daily in the 20th century. All the papers outside Atlanta, except the Birmingham World, closed by 1969. The Atlanta Daily World is currently published twice a week.

Scott is survived by his daughter, Portia Alexandria Scott; four grandchildren, Scott L. Walker, Steven L. Walker, Staci D. Walker and Maryam Jordan; a great grandson, Nehemiah C. Jordan; a sister, Ruth Scott Simmons; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were held at Warren Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard D. Winn Sr. officiating. Funeral arrangements were made by Alfonso Dawson Mortuary.