Part of the answer is found in the biography of Freeman written by his grandson, David E. Johnson. Johnson’s work included the typical daily schedule in Freeman’s later years, as witnessed by a writer from TIME magazine. Johnson called this chapter “Adventure with the Clock.” Here is the schedule:
2:30 A.M. Awake.
2:30-2:44 Dress, shave, devotional.
2:45 Downstairs to kitchen.
2:45-3:08 Prepare and eat breakfast, walk to car.
3:08-3:25 Drive to RICHMOND NEWS LEADER office.
3:25-3:29 Park, walk into building, up to office.
3:30 At desk, Associate Press wires in hand.
3:31-7:58 Read wire dispatches and morning paper, write editorials, mark items for index.
7:58-8:00 Walk to WRNL studio.
8:00-8:15 Broadcast.
8:15-8:17 Walk back to office.
8:17-8:32 Morning staff meeting.
8:32-11:58 Attend to duties of editor. Answer mail, receive visitors, attend meetings, check first edition of paper, block and set editorials. (In his later years, Freeman would, at times, take a brief nap at 11:00 A.M.)
11:58-12:00 Walk to WRNL studio.
12:00-12:15 Broadcast.
12:15-12:17 Walk back to office.
12:17-12:30 Complete last details of day ad prepare for next day. Walk to car.
12:30-12:47 Drive home.
12:48-2:00 Lunch with his wife, Inez, work in the garden, walk the grounds. A less structured time.
2:00-2:30 Nap.
2:30-6:30 Work in study on historical projects.
6:30-8:45 Dinner; evening with family.
8:45 Retire for the evening.
I have known a number of people who have slept the same amount of hours per night as Freeman, but few have been so focused. Johnson’s book entitled DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN, is a fascinating read of a marvelous historian, as well as, one of this nation’s most influential leaders in the media. Freeman died over fifty years ago, but his influence lives on.
2:30 A.M. Awake.
2:30-2:44 Dress, shave, devotional.
2:45 Downstairs to kitchen.
2:45-3:08 Prepare and eat breakfast, walk to car.
3:08-3:25 Drive to RICHMOND NEWS LEADER office.
3:25-3:29 Park, walk into building, up to office.
3:30 At desk, Associate Press wires in hand.
3:31-7:58 Read wire dispatches and morning paper, write editorials, mark items for index.
7:58-8:00 Walk to WRNL studio.
8:00-8:15 Broadcast.
8:15-8:17 Walk back to office.
8:17-8:32 Morning staff meeting.
8:32-11:58 Attend to duties of editor. Answer mail, receive visitors, attend meetings, check first edition of paper, block and set editorials. (In his later years, Freeman would, at times, take a brief nap at 11:00 A.M.)
11:58-12:00 Walk to WRNL studio.
12:00-12:15 Broadcast.
12:15-12:17 Walk back to office.
12:17-12:30 Complete last details of day ad prepare for next day. Walk to car.
12:30-12:47 Drive home.
12:48-2:00 Lunch with his wife, Inez, work in the garden, walk the grounds. A less structured time.
2:00-2:30 Nap.
2:30-6:30 Work in study on historical projects.
6:30-8:45 Dinner; evening with family.
8:45 Retire for the evening.
I have known a number of people who have slept the same amount of hours per night as Freeman, but few have been so focused. Johnson’s book entitled DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN, is a fascinating read of a marvelous historian, as well as, one of this nation’s most influential leaders in the media. Freeman died over fifty years ago, but his influence lives on.
Five Things I Think I Think (with a nod to Peter King for this idea)
1. After what happened to the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns, and with TCU probably not even receiving a shot at the National Title, I refuse to become emotionally attached to a Texas team this football season. I cannot take the pain.
2. Jerry Jones is a nice George Steinbrenner.
3. At last, it feels like autumn.
4. No one wants to fulfill someone else’s vision.
5. Finally, and most importantly, the older I get, the more I love my wife.
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