If he was becoming exasperated by his students, University of Kansas journalism professor John B. Bremner would sometimes throw open his classroom window, wave a white handkerchief and shout, “Help, I’m surrounded by idiots.”
Described as entertaining, intimidating and brilliant, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Bremner was nationally known for his skill at teaching college students to become newspaper copy editors and helping established copy editors get even better.
This week’s History Guy video at CJOnline focuses on Bremner, who was born 100 years ago this month, on Dec. 28, 1920, in Brisbane, Australia.
Bremner became a Roman Catholic priest at age 22, in 1943, and remained in the priesthood for 24 years. He worked in Australia as a magazine editor, newspaper columnist and radio writer and announcer before coming to the U.S. in 1950.