Edward K. Gaylord

Class of
1930
Edward K. Gaylord

Edward K. Gaylord

“Edward King Gaylord has had the power at his fingertips through the years, power that could have been used to destroy but is used to build, power that could have been used for personal gain, but is used for the common good.”
Paul Miller

Biography

Edward King Gaylord was born in Kansas and began his life’s work in the newspaper business when he bought the Colorado Springs Telegraph when he was only a junior in college. He came to Oklahoma in 1902 and founded the Oklahoma Publishing Company on January 29, 1903. He led an amazing life in the state – leading the campaign to move the state capital to Oklahoma City and serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He battled for passage of the city manager form of government and more air routes through Oklahoma City, served as program committeeman for the First National Aviation Clinic held in the city, was a booster of the Oklahoma City Industrial Foundation, which gave the land for Tinker Air Force Base, and headed the delegation which proposed Turner Turnpike. Gaylord was the president and general manager of WKY Television, which he bought as a radio station in 1928, and formed Mistletoe Express Service in 1931. He was the editor and publisher of the The Oklahoman and served as president of the Southern Newspaper Publisher Association, director of the Associated Press, and the organizer of the Frontiers of Science Foundation of Oklahoma.

Fun fact

In 1974, Mr. Gaylord became the first living person to be inducted into the Hall of Great Westerns at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Oklahoma connections

Gaylord came to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1902.

Hometown

Oklahoma City

Profession

Publisher

Presenter

Born

1873

Died

1974

Relevant Exhibits

Edith Kinney Gaylord: The Twentieth Century Through Her Eyes

Edith Kinney Gaylord: The Twentieth Century Through Her Eyes

The exhibit focuses on Gaylord's coverage of major mid-twentieth century events. Gaylord's life exemplifies a spirit of generosity and curiosity about the world.