John Russell Young

John Russell Young (April 2, 1882 – July 2, 1966) was a Washington, D.C., politician and journalist who served as the 18th president of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, from 1941 to 1952. He was the longest-serving President of the Board in the Board's history.

Early life Young was born in Washington, D.C., in 1882. His father, James Rankin Young was a congressman from Pennsylvania. His mother Mary Barclay, was from a family that had lived in the District since the 1st century. He was named for his uncle John Russell Young who was a journalist, diplomat and the 7th Librarian of Congress. Young attended schools in DC and then the Industrial Art School of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

He started his newspaper career in Philadelphia, where he worked from 1901 to 1905, before moving to Washington to work for the Washington Post. He held various positions at the Post, the Evening Star. the International News Service and the Washington Times over a 40-year career and spent 5 years in advertising. From 1920 to 1940 he covered the White House for the Star. He was a 3-time president of the White House Correspondents' Association, on the National Press Club's first board of governors and the 3rd member of the Gridiron Club.

From 1945 to 1951, he served on the Board with Brig. Gen. Gordon Russell Young, who was the son of his namesake and thus his cousin.

Death and honors Young died on July 2, 1966, of arteriosclerosis at his home in Dupont Circle and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery with his parents.