William Franklin Knox

William Franklin Knox (born Jan. 1, 1874, Boston—died April 28, 1944, Washington, D.C.) was a U.S. newspaper publisher and secretary of the navy during World War II. After graduating from Alma College, Alma, Mich., he served with the 1st U.S. volunteer cavalry, known as the “Rough Riders,” in the Spanish-American War. He became a newspaper reporter in Grand Rapids, Mich., and from 1901 to 1912 was publisher of the Sault Ste. Marie News. He later...