Meacham Family Genealogy & History

Jon Meacham is a renowned American writer, historian, and presidential biographer, recognized for his work as the Canon Historian of the Washington National Cathedral and his tenure as editor-in-chief of Newsweek. Meacham has authored several acclaimed books, notably winning the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography for "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House." He holds the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Endowed Chair in American Presidency at Vanderbilt University. Meacham frequently contributes to esteemed publications, including The New York Times Book Review and Time magazine, enhancing his reputation as a leading voice in historical and political discourse.

Jon Meacham was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Jere Ellis Meacham, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and labor-relations executive, and Linda (McBrayer) Brodie. Raised primarily by his paternal grandparents, Ellis K. Meacham and Jean Austin Meacham, after his parents' divorce, Meacham's early exposure to political discussions with his grandfather spurred his interest in politics. His family background and upbringing played a significant role in shaping his future pursuits in history and political commentary.

Doug Meacham, born December 16, 1964, is a renowned American football coach known for his strategic prowess in offensive coordination. He played as an offensive lineman at Oklahoma State University, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in football coaching. Meacham's notable roles include being hired as the offensive coordinator for TCU in 2013, where his efforts led him to become a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2014. He also served as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas Jayhawks and the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. In a significant career move, he returned to Oklahoma State as the offensive coordinator in December 2024.

Alfred Benjamin Meacham (1826–1882) was a prominent American Methodist minister, reformer, and U.S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon from 1869 to 1872. Known for his advocacy for American Indian rights, Meacham played a crucial role in the Modoc Peace Commission and was instrumental in attempting to resolve conflicts on the Klamath Reservation. He authored two books on the Modoc War and took part in a national lecture tour to raise awareness about American Indian issues, significantly contributing to U.S. Indian policy reform.

Alfred B. Meacham was born in Orange County, Indiana, to Anderson Meacham and Lucinda Wasson. The family moved from North Carolina, opposing slavery, and later relocated to Iowa, where Meacham was educated in common schools.

Ellis Kirby Meacham was a distinguished American attorney, judge, and author known for his Napoleonic era nautical adventures. Born on September 5, 1913, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Meacham wrote the acclaimed trilogy featuring Percival Merewether of the Bombay Marine, earning the Friends of American Writers Major Award in Fiction in 1969. A Vanderbilt University alumnus, he served as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. Meacham's legal career in Chattanooga spanned decades, culminating in his role as a municipal court judge. He was instrumental in founding the Meacham Writers’ Workshop at the University of Tennessee, named in his honor.

Ellis Meacham was born to Jean (née Ellis) and Cowan White Kirby Meacham, an attorney. His family, rooted in Chattanooga, Tennessee, consisted of siblings Alexander, Manning, and Jean Alice Meacham. His mother was actively engaged in philanthropic efforts, establishing a family legacy of community involvement. Ellis Meacham's personal life included marriage to Jean Bevan Austin in 1940, with whom he had two sons, Kirby and Jere. Notably, he played a pivotal role in raising his grandson, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, during a significant part of Jon's childhood.