Russell Baker

Russell Baker was an American journalist, columnist, and author, born on August 14, 1925, in Morrisonville, Illinois. He is best known for his long-running column in The New York Times, which earned him a reputation as one of the most prominent and influential journalists of his time.

Baker's career in journalism began in the 1940s, and by the 1960s, he had become widely recognized for his insightful and often humorous commentary. His column, which ran for more than 30 years, was a blend of personal reflections, social observations, and political analysis. Baker's writing style was known for its wit, depth, and the ability to take complex issues and make them accessible to a wide audience.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Baker was the author of several books, including Growing Up, his memoir of his childhood and early life, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography in 1983. He also authored The Good Times, which was a follow-up to Growing Up and provided a look at his adult life and career.

Baker's contributions to journalism and literature were widely recognized during his lifetime, and his legacy includes not just his written work but also the impact he had on the landscape of American journalism. He passed away on January 21, 2019, at the age of 93.