J. Reginald Murphy


John Reginald Murphy, usually known as Reg Murphy, is a publisher and business executive. A native of Gainesville, Georgia and a graduate of Mercer University, Murphy began his career in journalism with the Macon Telegraph. He became editor of the Atlanta Constitution, editor and publisher of The San Francisco Examiner, and publisher and CEO of The Baltimore Sun. From 1994–1995, Murphy served as the president of the United States Golf Association. Murphy was president and CEO of the National Geographic Society from 1996–1998. He authored a biography of Griffin Bell, Uncommon Sense: The Achievement of Griffin Bell. In 2012 he served as Executive-in-Residence at the College of Coastal Georgia.

Kidnapping

Murphy was kidnapped on February 20, 1974, at the age of 40, and was freed two days later after the Atlanta Constitution paid $700,000 ransom. Murphy was well known for his stance against the Vietnam War, but the motive for the kidnapping is still unknown. William A. H. Williams was arrested for the crime only six hours after Murphy was released, and all of the money was recovered. Williams was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in jail but served only nine. Williams claimed to represent a right-wing militia group called The American Revolutionary Army and sought to have all federal elected officials resign.

Family

Murphy has a wife named Diana and two daughters.