James Geddes Stahlman

James Geddes Stahlman (February 28, 1893 – May 1, 1976) was an American newspaper publisher and philanthropist. He was the publisher of the Nashville Banner. He was opposed to desegregation.

Early years James Geddes Stahlman was born on February 28, 1893, in Nashville, Tennessee. His paternal grandfather was Major Edward Bushrod Stahlman, a German-born railroad executive and the owner of the Nashville Banner, whose brother-in-law, Marcus Toney, was a Klansman and Masonic leader.

Stahlman earned his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University in 1916, He served as an infantry private in the United States Army during World War I. He was the newspaper's co-owner with his uncle Frank Carl Stahlman from 1937 to 1955, when he became the sole owner.

Stahlman sold the newspaper to the Gannett Company in 1972, The school was placed on probation for a year by the American Association of Theological Schools, and the power of trustees was curtailed. However, within a few years, "Stahlman was downplaying his racist rhetoric, boasting of hiring of a black reporter, and donating $250 to the families of black girls killed in a church bombing in Birmingham."

In 1967, Stahlman tried to keep Stokely Carmichael from speaking on the Vanderbilt campus; after Carmichael's speech on April 8, a racially charged riot broke out in North Nashville.

Personal life, death and legacy Stahlman was married three times. With his first wife, Mildred Porter Thornton, Stahlman had two daughters, Mildred and Ann.