CT Journalism Hall of Fame: Stephen A. Collins
Stephen A. Collins had a lifelong devotion to newspapers that began at age 9 when he was a delivery boy for the News-Times in Danbury.
He later went on to become a high school correspondent for the newspaper. At the age of 32, he was named editor of the paper, earning the distinction of being the youngest editor in the state.
He later was named editorial director, a position he held until his retirement in December 1985 after more than 51 years with the newspaper. Collins was born in Danbury, and was well-known throughout the state for his pioneering work on the state Freedom of Information Act. He was a longtime SPJ FOI Chairman.
He died on Feb. 27, 1986 at the age of 69.
Tom Musson
Wed 13th Jun 2012 at 2:46 pm
Like Editor Collins, I too started as a high school correspondent to the Danbury News-Times. Under his guidance I later progressed as a reporter for the Danbury paper follwoed by a career in marketing. Mr. Collins was a great mentor and was able to imbue his passions of “clarity and brevity” to all members of his editorial staff. He worte a tutorial on the subject for the Society of Professional Journalists. People like this are true icons in their fields.