Biographical
Sketch
John M. Collier was born
in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tulane
University and spent nine years as an investigative reporter for the
New Orleans Item prior to joining the U.S. Army. In 1954 he started
a longtime career with the Southern Pine Association (Southern Forest
Products Association). In 1962 he was appointed advertising and publicity
director for the organization and was their vice president at the time
of his retirement. Throughout his long career he wrote for many newspapers
and trade journals. He died in January 1987.
Collier was a former member
of the Forest History Society's (FHS) board of directors. Following
his untimely death due to cancer, longtime friend and colleague H. P.
Newson, a past president of FHS, recommended that an award be established
to honor Collier. In response, the Society established the John M. Collier
Award for Forest History Journalism in 1987. John Collier represented
the best of the profession with thorough research, solid interpretation,
and clear writing throughout his career, and FHS is proud to present
the Collier Award in his memory.
