Donal Henahan facts for kids

Donal Henahan (born February 28, 1921 – died August 19, 2012) was an American music critic and journalist. He worked for a long time at the Chicago Daily News and The New York Times. A music critic writes about music, like reviewing concerts or albums. A journalist writes news stories. At The New York Times, he won the important Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1986. This award celebrates excellent writing about arts and culture.

Who Was Donal Henahan?

Donal Henahan was a respected writer who loved music. He spent his career sharing his thoughts on music with many readers. He became known for his smart and honest reviews. His work helped people understand and appreciate music better.

Early Life and Education

Donal Henahan was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He started his college studies at Kent State University and Ohio University. However, his education was paused because of World War II. After the war, he went back to school. He earned his first degree from Northwestern University in 1948.

He continued his studies at several other universities. These included the University of Chicago, Roosevelt University, Columbia University, and Yale University. He earned a master's degree from Yale. During his studies, he also learned to play piano, sing, and play classical guitar.

Serving His Country

During World War II, Donal Henahan served in the military. From 1942 to 1945, he was a fighter pilot. He flew planes for the United States Army Air Forces. He reached the rank of first lieutenant. For his bravery, he received the Air Medal award multiple times.

A Career in Music Journalism

Donal Henahan had a long and successful career in journalism. He focused mainly on music criticism. This meant he would listen to music performances and then write his opinions about them. His goal was to help readers understand the music and performances.

Writing for the Chicago Daily News

In 1947, while still a student, Henahan joined the Chicago Daily News. He worked there for 20 years. By 1957, he became the main music critic for the newspaper. Besides his work at the Daily News, he also wrote for many other popular magazines. These included Esquire and Saturday Review.

Becoming a Top Critic at The New York Times

In 1967, Donal Henahan moved to The New York Times. This is one of the most famous newspapers in the world. He joined their team of music critics. By 1980, he became the chief music critic for The Times. This was a very important job.

In 1986, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. This award is a huge honor for writers. He retired from The Times in 1991. Even after retiring, he continued to write articles for the newspaper until 1997.

Later Years and Legacy

Donal Henahan passed away on August 19, 2012. He was 91 years old. He died at his home in Manhattan, New York. He left behind a legacy as a respected and influential music critic. His writings helped shape how many people thought about music for decades.