Ben Bradlee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Bradlee
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Bradlee in 1999
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Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee
August 26, 1921 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | October 21, 2014 (aged 93) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Education | Dexter School, St. Mark's School |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Newspaper editor |
| Employer | The Washington Post |
| Known for | publication of the Pentagon Papers and reporting the Watergate scandal |
| Spouse(s) | Jean Saltonstall (m. 1942; div. 1956) Antoinette Pinchot (m. 1957; div. 1977) Sally Quinn
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 4 (incl. Ben Jr. and Quinn) |
| Parent(s) | Frederick Josiah Bradlee, Jr. Josephine de Gersdorff |
| Awards | |
| Military career | |
| Unit | Second Fleet |
Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee (August 26, 1921 – October 21, 2014) was a famous American journalist. He worked as an editor at The Washington Post newspaper from 1965 to 1991. He became well-known when the Post published important secret government documents called the Pentagon Papers. He also led the newspaper's deep investigation into the Watergate scandal. These events changed how people saw journalism.
After he retired, Bradlee stayed involved with the Post. He also worked to support education and the study of history. He was a trustee for several important educational and historical groups.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Ben Bradlee was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Frederick Josiah Bradlee, Jr., was an investment banker. His mother was Josephine de Gersdorff. Ben grew up in a wealthy family with helpers at home. He learned French and took music and riding lessons.
However, the Wall Street Crash of 1929 caused his father to lose his job. His father then took on many different jobs to support the family. With help from relatives, Ben continued his education. He went to Dexter School and then St. Mark's School.
At St. Mark's, he played baseball. He also got sick with polio, but he got better and could walk without a limp. He then went to Harvard College. He graduated in 1942 with a degree in Greek and English.
Serving in World War II
Ben Bradlee knew the United States would likely join World War II. So, he joined the Naval ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) at Harvard. He became a naval officer the same day he graduated.
He worked as a communications officer in the Pacific Ocean. He served on a destroyer ship called the USS Philip. He was part of many important naval battles. These included battles near Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, and Bougainville. He also fought in the huge Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines.
Starting His Journalism Career
After the war, in 1946, a friend helped Bradlee get a job at a new newspaper in New Hampshire. The paper struggled, so he looked for other jobs. He got interviews at The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post. He chose to work at The Washington Post as a reporter.
In 1950, he was near the White House when two people tried to attack President Harry S. Truman. In 1951, Bradlee became a press assistant at the American embassy in Paris.
In 1954, Bradlee became a reporter in Europe for Newsweek magazine. He worked overseas for four years. Then, he moved to Newsweek's office in Washington D.C.
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In the 1950s, Bradlee became good friends with then-Senator John F. Kennedy. They lived near each other and had both gone to Harvard. In 1960, Bradlee traveled with both Kennedy and Richard Nixon during their campaigns for president. He later wrote a book about his friendship with Kennedy.
Leading The Washington Post
Bradlee stayed with Newsweek until 1965. Then, he became the managing editor at The Washington Post. In 1968, he became the executive editor.
Under Bradlee's leadership, The Washington Post took on big challenges. This happened during the time of President Richard Nixon. In 1971, the Post and The New York Times fought for the right to publish the Pentagon Papers. These were secret government documents about the Vietnam War. The newspapers won, and the papers were published.
Bradlee also led the Post's extensive reporting on the Watergate scandal. This scandal involved a break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters. The Post's reporting helped uncover a major political scandal. This work showed the power of investigative journalism.
Life and Awards After Retirement
Ben Bradlee retired as executive editor of The Washington Post in 1991. But he continued to work for the paper as a vice president until he died.
He also became involved in other important work. He chaired the Historic St. Mary's City Commission. He also served on the board of trustees at St. Mary's College of Maryland. He even started a special lecture series there about journalism.
In 1991, Bradlee gave a speech at Harvard University. He talked about how important it is for people in power to tell the truth. He said that lying can hurt trust in our country's institutions. He believed that honesty was very important for everyone.
Bradlee even had a small acting role in the 1993 movie Born Yesterday.
In 1988, he received the Golden Plate Award. This award recognizes people who have achieved great things.
His autobiography, A Good Life: Newspapering and Other Adventures, was published in 1995.
In 1998, Bradlee won the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. This award honors great journalists.
In 2005, journalist Jim Lehrer interviewed Bradlee for a long time. They talked about the responsibilities of the press and the Watergate scandal. These interviews became a documentary called Free Speech: Jim Lehrer and Ben Bradlee. It was shown on PBS in 2006.
In 2007, Bradlee received the French Legion of Honor. This is the highest award given by the French government.
President Barack Obama gave Bradlee the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
Family Life
Ben Bradlee was married three times. His first wife was Jean Saltonstall. They married in 1942. They had one son, Ben Bradlee Jr.. He later became a reporter and editor at The Boston Globe.
His second wife was Antoinette 'Tony' Pinchot Pittman. They had a son named Dominic and a daughter named Marina.
His last marriage was to The Washington Post reporter Sally Quinn in 1978. They had one child, Quinn Bradlee, who was born in 1982.
Death
In his later years, Ben Bradlee had Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at his home in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2014, at age 93. His funeral was held at the Washington National Cathedral. He was buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Books
- Bradlee, Ben. Conversations With Kennedy (W W Norton & Co Inc, November 1, 1984) ISBN: 978-0-393-30189-2
- Bradlee, Ben. A Good Life: Newspapering and Other Adventures (Simon & Schuster, October, 1995) ISBN: 978-0-684-80894-9
See also
In Spanish: Benjamin Bradlee para niños
