Jump to content

Charles Templeton: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Innocent76 (talk | contribs)
183 edits
m Adding link
Kajei (talk | contribs)
197 edits
No edit summary
Line 31: Line 31:
}}
}}


'''Charles Bradley Templeton'''<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="obit"/> (October 7, 1915&nbsp;– June 7, 2001) was a Canadian media figure and a former Christian [[Evangelism|evangelist]]. Known in the 1940s and 1950s as a leading evangelist, he became an agnostic and later embraced atheism after struggling with doubt. Afterwards he worked at various times in journalism, radio and writing.
'''Charles Bradley Templeton'''<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="obit"/> (October 7, 1915&nbsp;– June 7, 2001) was a Canadian media figure and a former Christian [[Evangelism|evangelist]]. Known in the 1940s and 1950s as a leading evangelist, he became an agnostic and later embraced atheism after struggling with doubt. Afterwards, he worked at various times in journalism, radio and writing.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==


On October 7, 1915, Charles Templeton was born in [[Toronto]], Canada. He attended the high school [[Parkdale Collegiate Institute]].<ref name="globemail">{{cite web |url=http://www.templetons.com/brad/globeobit.html | title=Canada's man of many parts | publisher=[[The Globe and Mail]] | date=June 8, 2001 | access-date=September 13, 2020 | author=Downey, Donn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228035044/http://www.templetons.com/brad/globeobit.html|archive-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref>
Charles Templeton was born on October 7, 1915, in [[Toronto]], Canada. He attended the high school [[Parkdale Collegiate Institute]].<ref name="globemail">{{cite web |url=http://www.templetons.com/brad/globeobit.html | title=Canada's man of many parts | publisher=[[The Globe and Mail]] | date=June 8, 2001 | access-date=September 13, 2020 | author=Downey, Donn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228035044/http://www.templetons.com/brad/globeobit.html|archive-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref>


== Cartoonist ==
== Cartoonist ==


In 1932,<ref name="globemail"/> he was hired to draw "Chuck Templeton's Sportraits", a daily sports cartoon, at age 17 for ''[[The Globe (Toronto newspaper)|The Toronto Globe]]'' (now ''[[The Globe and Mail]]''),<ref name="nyt1954">{{cite news|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Heads Evangelism Unit Of Presbyterian Board|date=May 29, 1954|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/112883906|url-access=subscription|via=[[ProQuest]]|page=16|id={{ProQuest|112883906}} |quote=Dr. Templeton once was a sports cartoonist for The Toronto Globe. He was 17 when he began. He syndicated a daily drawing as 'Chuck Templeton's Sportraits.'{{nbsp}}}}</ref> leaving high school. His work became syndicated and earned him a comfortable living. He converted to Christianity while working as a cartoonist, quitting his job in 1936 to become a preacher.<ref name="globemail"/>
In 1932,<ref name="globemail"/> at age 17, Charles Templeton was hired to create Chuck Templeton's Sportraits, a daily sports cartoon, for ''[[The Globe (Toronto newspaper)|The Toronto Globe]]'' (now ''[[The Globe and Mail]]''),<ref name="nyt1954">{{cite news|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Heads Evangelism Unit Of Presbyterian Board|date=May 29, 1954|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/112883906|url-access=subscription|via=[[ProQuest]]|page=16|id={{ProQuest|112883906}} |quote=Dr. Templeton once was a sports cartoonist for The Toronto Globe. He was 17 when he began. He syndicated a daily drawing as 'Chuck Templeton's Sportraits.'{{nbsp}}}}</ref> leaving high school to pursue the job. His work became syndicated and earned him a comfortable living. He converted to Christianity while working as a cartoonist, and in 1936, left his job to become a preacher.<ref name="globemail"/>


== Christian evangelist ==
== Christian evangelist ==


After he quit his first job, Templeton became a mass [[Evangelism|evangelist]]. From 1936 to 1938, he toured the US and preached in 44 states.<ref name="globemail"/> He was a top evangelist, internationally renowned.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="cbc"/><ref name="obit"/> In 1941, Templeton started the [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarene]] [[Avenue Road Church]] as its preacher, renting a building that formerly housed a [[Presbyterian]] church.<ref name="globemail"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Avenue Road Church|url=http://heritagetoronto.org/avenue-road-church/|website=heritagetoronto.org|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=September 13, 2020|language=en-CA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207014023/http://heritagetoronto.org/avenue-road-church/|archive-date=7 December 2017}}</ref> In 1955, he became the [[Presbyterian Church in the United States]]'s secretary of evangelism.<ref name="globemail"/>
After he quit his first job, Templeton became a mass [[Evangelism|evangelist]]. From 1936 to 1938, he toured the United States, preaching in 44 states<ref name="globemail"/> and gaining international recognition as a leading evangelist.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="cbc"/><ref name="obit"/> In 1941, Templeton started the [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarene]] [[Avenue Road Church]] where he served as its preacher, renting a building that once housed a [[Presbyterian]] church.<ref name="globemail"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Avenue Road Church|url=http://heritagetoronto.org/avenue-road-church/|website=heritagetoronto.org|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=September 13, 2020|language=en-CA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207014023/http://heritagetoronto.org/avenue-road-church/|archive-date=7 December 2017}}</ref> In 1955, he became the [[Presbyterian Church in the United States]]'s secretary of evangelism.<ref name="globemail"/>


Wanting to learn more about Christianity, Templeton attended [[Princeton Theological Seminary]] in the 1940s,<ref name="ctv">{{cite web|title=Charles Templeton dead at 85|publisher=[[CTV Television Network]]|date=June 7, 2001|url=http://www.ctvnews.com/asp/content/newsstory_view.asp?NewsStoryID=15512&StoryTextID=17430&SectionName=&SectionID=0&feature=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010809034416/http://www.ctvnews.com/asp/content/newsstory_view.asp?NewsStoryID=15512&StoryTextID=17430&SectionName=&SectionID=0&feature=0|archive-date=August 9, 2001|access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="cbc"/> later receiving an honorary doctorate from [[Lafayette College]].<ref name="globemail"/>
Eager to deepen his understanding about Christianity, Templeton attended [[Princeton Theological Seminary]] in the 1940s.<ref name="ctv">{{cite web|title=Charles Templeton dead at 85|publisher=[[CTV Television Network]]|date=June 7, 2001|url=http://www.ctvnews.com/asp/content/newsstory_view.asp?NewsStoryID=15512&StoryTextID=17430&SectionName=&SectionID=0&feature=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010809034416/http://www.ctvnews.com/asp/content/newsstory_view.asp?NewsStoryID=15512&StoryTextID=17430&SectionName=&SectionID=0&feature=0|archive-date=August 9, 2001|access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="cbc"/> He later received an honorary doctorate from [[Lafayette College]].<ref name="globemail"/>


He hosted the religious television show ''[[Look Up and Live]]''.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="obit"/>
He hosted the religious television show ''[[Look Up and Live]]''.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="obit"/>


Charles Templeton struggled with doubts about his religion. He eventually became an agnostic,<ref name="globemail"/> causing a wide backlash from Christian communities.<ref name="obit"/>
Charles Templeton began to struggle with doubts about his religion eventually becoming an agnostic.<ref name="globemail"/> This caused a wide backlash from Christian communities.<ref name="obit"/>


Templeton was a close friend of, and shared billing with, fellow evangelist [[Billy Graham]], with whom he co-founded (along with [[Torrey Johnson]]) [[Youth for Christ International]].<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="obit"/> After Templeton became an agnostic, they remained friends but became more distant.<ref name="globemail"/>
Templeton was a close friend of fellow evangelist [[Billy Graham]], and the two shared billing as they co-founded (along with [[Torrey Johnson]]) [[Youth for Christ International]].<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="obit"/> After Templeton became an agnostic, they remained friends but became more distant.<ref name="globemail"/>


== Media ==
== Media ==
Line 57: Line 57:
=== Journalist ===
=== Journalist ===


In 1959, he quit evangelism and entered a media career. He was hired by the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' in the same year as its executive managing editor, quitting the position in 1964 to enter politics. Furthermore, he founded the advertising company Technamation Canada, working there until [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] hired him as director of public affairs in 1967. In 1969, he got another job as editor of ''[[Maclean's]]'' magazine for seven months.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/><ref name="cbc"/><ref name="obit"/>
In 1959, Templeton quit evangelism and transitioned into a media career. That same year, he was hired as executive managing editor of the ''[[Toronto Star]]'', a position he held until 1964, when he entered politics. Furthermore, he founded the advertising company Technamation Canada, working there until [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] hired him as director of public affairs in 1967. In 1969, he briefly served as editor of ''[[Maclean's]]'' magazine for seven months.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/><ref name="cbc"/><ref name="obit"/>


=== Radio ===
=== Radio ===


Templeton became an interviewer for the radio show ''Close-Up''.<ref name="globemail"/> He later worked with [[Pierre Berton]] on the radio show ''Dialogue'' from 1966 to 1970 on [[CFRB]] and from 1970 to 1984 on [[CHKT|CKEY]] where Templeton also served as morning news reader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/personalities/berton-pierre|title=Pierre Berton (1920–2004)|first=Gord|last= Landsdell|date=August 2001|publisher=[[Canadian Communications Foundation]]|access-date=September 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/><ref name="obit"/>
Templeton became an interviewer for the radio show ''Close-Up''.<ref name="globemail"/> He later collaborated with [[Pierre Berton]] on the radio show ''Dialogue'' from 1966 to 1970 on [[CFRB]], and from 1970 to 1984 on [[CHKT|CKEY]], where Templeton also served as the morning news reader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/personalities/berton-pierre|title=Pierre Berton (1920–2004)|first=Gord|last= Landsdell|date=August 2001|publisher=[[Canadian Communications Foundation]]|access-date=September 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/><ref name="obit"/>


He won two [[ACTRA Award]]s for broadcasting.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/> In 1992, he won the [[125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal]].<ref name="ctv"/>
He won two [[ACTRA Award]]s for broadcasting<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/> and in 1992, he was awarded the [[125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal]].<ref name="ctv"/>


=== Author ===
=== Author ===


Templeton wrote plays performed on television. Templeton's first novel, ''The Kidnapping of the President'' (1974), was a bestseller and was adapted into a [[The Kidnapping of the President|1980 film]].<ref name="cbc"/> He wrote several other novels.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/> In ''Farewell to God'' (1995 or 1996), he described his conversion to agnosticism and his reasons for doing so.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="cbc"/> He won the [[B'nai B'rith]] book award.<ref name="ctv"/>
Templeton wrote several plays that were performed on television. Templeton's first novel, ''The Kidnapping of the President'' (1974), became a bestseller and was adapted into a [[The Kidnapping of the President|1980 film]].<ref name="cbc"/> He wrote several other novels.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="ctv"/> In ''Farewell to God'' (1995 or 1996), he described his conversion to agnosticism and explained his reasons for doing so.<ref name="globemail"/><ref name="cbc"/> Templeton also won the [[B'nai B'rith]] book award.<ref name="ctv"/>


== Politics ==
== Politics ==
Line 75: Line 75:
== Inventor ==
== Inventor ==


Templeton made his own unsuccessful designs of a [[Child-resistant packaging|child-resistant]] medicine cap, a [[cigarette filter]] and a pipeline.<ref name="globemail"/> His design for a teddy bear that could stay warm for many hours was widely manufactured.<ref name="obit"/>
Templeton made his own unsuccessful designs of a [[Child-resistant packaging|child-resistant]] medicine cap, a [[cigarette filter]] and a pipeline.<ref name="globemail"/> However, his design for a teddy bear that could stay warm for many hours was widely manufactured.<ref name="obit"/>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==


While he was an evangelist, Templeton married evangelist and singer Constance Oroczy in 1939. In 1957, they divorced. In 1959, he married singer [[Sylvia Murphy]], whom he met while producing a television drama; they also divorced.<ref name="obit"/> In 1980, he married author Madeleine Helen Stevens Leger, staying married until he died.<ref name="globemail"/> He had four children: Michael, Deborah, [[Brad_Templeton|Bradley]], and [[Ty Templeton|Tyrone]].<ref name="globemail"/>
While he was an evangelist, Templeton married fellow evangelist and singer Constance Oroczy in 1939. In 1957, they divorced. In 1959, he married singer [[Sylvia Murphy]], whom he met while producing a television drama; they also divorced.<ref name="obit"/> In 1980, he married author Madeleine Helen Stevens Leger, and they remained married until his death.<ref name="globemail"/> Templeton had four children: Michael, Deborah, [[Brad_Templeton|Bradley]], and [[Ty Templeton|Tyrone]].<ref name="globemail"/>


== Death ==
== Death ==

Revision as of 19:01, 10 October 2024

For other people named Charles Templeton, see Charles Templeton (disambiguation).

Charles Templeton
Born
Charles Bradley Templeton

(1915-10-07)October 7, 1915
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedJune 7, 2001(2001-06-07) (aged 85)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other namesChuck
EducationParkdale Collegiate Institute
Princeton Theological Seminary
Occupation(s)Evangelist, journalist, radio commentator, author, politician, inventor, cartoonist
Notable workFarewell to God
Spouse(s)Constance Oroczy 1939–1957
Sylvia Murphy 1959–1976[1]
Madeleine Helen Stevens Leger 1980–2001
ChildrenMichael, Deborah, Bradley, and Tyrone

Charles Bradley Templeton[2][3] (October 7, 1915 – June 7, 2001) was a Canadian media figure and a former Christian evangelist. Known in the 1940s and 1950s as a leading evangelist, he became an agnostic and later embraced atheism after struggling with doubt. Afterwards, he worked at various times in journalism, radio and writing.

Early life

Charles Templeton was born on October 7, 1915, in Toronto, Canada. He attended the high school Parkdale Collegiate Institute.[2]

Cartoonist

In 1932,[2] at age 17, Charles Templeton was hired to create Chuck Templeton's Sportraits, a daily sports cartoon, for The Toronto Globe (now The Globe and Mail),[4] leaving high school to pursue the job. His work became syndicated and earned him a comfortable living. He converted to Christianity while working as a cartoonist, and in 1936, left his job to become a preacher.[2]

Christian evangelist

After he quit his first job, Templeton became a mass evangelist. From 1936 to 1938, he toured the United States, preaching in 44 states[2] and gaining international recognition as a leading evangelist.[2][5][3] In 1941, Templeton started the Nazarene Avenue Road Church where he served as its preacher, renting a building that once housed a Presbyterian church.[2][6] In 1955, he became the Presbyterian Church in the United States's secretary of evangelism.[2]

Eager to deepen his understanding about Christianity, Templeton attended Princeton Theological Seminary in the 1940s.[7][5] He later received an honorary doctorate from Lafayette College.[2]

He hosted the religious television show Look Up and Live.[2][3]

Charles Templeton began to struggle with doubts about his religion eventually becoming an agnostic.[2] This caused a wide backlash from Christian communities.[3]

Templeton was a close friend of fellow evangelist Billy Graham, and the two shared billing as they co-founded (along with Torrey Johnson) Youth for Christ International.[2][3] After Templeton became an agnostic, they remained friends but became more distant.[2]

Media

Journalist

In 1959, Templeton quit evangelism and transitioned into a media career. That same year, he was hired as executive managing editor of the Toronto Star, a position he held until 1964, when he entered politics. Furthermore, he founded the advertising company Technamation Canada, working there until CTV hired him as director of public affairs in 1967. In 1969, he briefly served as editor of Maclean's magazine for seven months.[2][7][5][3]

Radio

Templeton became an interviewer for the radio show Close-Up.[2] He later collaborated with Pierre Berton on the radio show Dialogue from 1966 to 1970 on CFRB, and from 1970 to 1984 on CKEY, where Templeton also served as the morning news reader.[8][2][7][3]

He won two ACTRA Awards for broadcasting[2][7] and in 1992, he was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal.[7]

Author

Templeton wrote several plays that were performed on television. Templeton's first novel, The Kidnapping of the President (1974), became a bestseller and was adapted into a 1980 film.[5] He wrote several other novels.[2][7] In Farewell to God (1995 or 1996), he described his conversion to agnosticism and explained his reasons for doing so.[2][5] Templeton also won the B'nai B'rith book award.[7]

Politics

He came second in an election for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party,[2][5][3] although he was its vice-president in 1964 and 1965.[7]

Inventor

Templeton made his own unsuccessful designs of a child-resistant medicine cap, a cigarette filter and a pipeline.[2] However, his design for a teddy bear that could stay warm for many hours was widely manufactured.[3]

Personal life

While he was an evangelist, Templeton married fellow evangelist and singer Constance Oroczy in 1939. In 1957, they divorced. In 1959, he married singer Sylvia Murphy, whom he met while producing a television drama; they also divorced.[3] In 1980, he married author Madeleine Helen Stevens Leger, and they remained married until his death.[2] Templeton had four children: Michael, Deborah, Bradley, and Tyrone.[2]

Death

On June 7, 2001, Charles Templeton died from Alzheimer's disease.[7][5][3]

References

  1. ^ Morrow, Martin (March 4, 2021). "Popular singer Sylvia Murphy found a national audience on 1950s TV". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Downey, Donn (June 8, 2001). "Canada's man of many parts". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Templeton, Brad. "Charles Templeton (1915–2001)". templetons.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  4. ^ "Heads Evangelism Unit Of Presbyterian Board". The New York Times. May 29, 1954. p. 16. ProQuest 112883906 – via ProQuest. Dr. Templeton once was a sports cartoonist for The Toronto Globe. He was 17 when he began. He syndicated a daily drawing as 'Chuck Templeton's Sportraits.' 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Journalist, evangelist Charles Templeton dies". CBC News. June 8, 2001. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  6. ^ "Avenue Road Church". heritagetoronto.org. March 7, 2014. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Charles Templeton dead at 85". CTV Television Network. June 7, 2001. Archived from the original on August 9, 2001. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Landsdell, Gord (August 2001). "Pierre Berton (1920–2004)". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Charles Templeton.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Charles_Templeton&oldid=1250491986"