COBB, FRANK I(RVING)

born Aug. 6, 1869, Shawnee county, Kan., U.S. died Dec. 21, 1923, New York, N.Y. American journalist who succeeded Joseph Pulitzer as editor of the New York World, and who became famous for his fighting editorials. He was described as liberal but sane, brilliant but sound. Cobb was a youthful high school superintendent in 1890, when his interest turned to journalism. He quit the field of education to become a reporter for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald at a salary of $6 a week. He moved to the Grand Rapids Eagle in 1893 and the Detroit Evening News the next year. By 1899 he was the leading editorial writer for the Detroit Free Press. When he was in his late 50s, Joseph Pulitzer conducted a nationwide search for the best person to succeed him as editor in chief of the World. The search turned up Cobb in Detroit, and, after days of withering examination by Pulitzer, Cobb got the job. He joined the World in 1904 and became its chief editorial writer, assuming the post of editor in chief on Pulitzer's death in 1911. Cobb remained with the World until his own death, keeping the paper generally on the liberal course charted by Pulitzer. He took a leave of absence from the World in 1919 to serve as member of the U.S. Press Department staff at the Paris Peace Conference. Cobb was a friend and adviser to Pres. Woodrow Wilson, and one of the scant handful of newsmen the president trusted.