Wright was born in California, and educated at the University of Nevada and the University of Washington. A Washington journalism student, he spent three years on the staff of the "University of Washington Daily", ending as managing editor. He acted as managing editor of "The Seattle Star" on April 25, 1914 when twenty journalism students were handed responsibility for the paper for a day. An honors student, he graduated with a B.A. in Journalism in 1914. At the university, he was active in clubs, including serving as president of the Social Democratic Club.