Lawrence E. Spivak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lawrence E. Spivak
|
|
|---|---|
Spivak at right with Ned Brooks, 1960.
|
|
| Born | June 11, 1900 |
| Died | March 9, 1994 (aged 93) Washington, D.C., United States
|
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Broadcast journalist Publisher |
| Spouse(s) | Charlotte Beir Ring (1924–1983) |
| Children | Judith Spivak Frost Jonathan Martin Spivak |
Lawrence Edmund Spivak (born June 11, 1900 – died March 9, 1994) was an American publisher and journalist. He is most famous for helping to create, produce, and host the important TV show Meet the Press.
He started this show with journalist Martha Rountree. It was first meant to promote Spivak's magazine, The American Mercury. Meet the Press later became the longest-running TV series ever. For 28 years, Spivak was a panelist and host of the show. He was known for asking tough questions to important leaders and politicians.
Contents
Lawrence Spivak's Early Life and Career
Lawrence E. Spivak was born on June 11, 1900, in New York City. In 1921, he graduated with honors from Harvard University. He began his career in publishing, working for Antiques magazine.
In 1924, he married Charlotte Beir Ring, a psychologist. They had two children together. From 1930 to 1933, Spivak worked for Hunting and Fishing and National Sportsman magazines.
Spivak and The American Mercury Magazine
In 1934, Spivak became the business manager for The American Mercury. This was a literary magazine that looked closely at American life. He bought the magazine in 1939. Spivak was its editor from 1944 until 1950, when he sold it.
In 1937, Spivak started Mercury Publications, Inc. This company published many books and magazines. They printed small, inexpensive paperback books. These often included mystery stories by famous authors like Agatha Christie and Erle Stanley Gardner. Mercury Publications also published popular magazines such as Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Spivak sold his part of Mercury Publications in 1954.
Creating Meet the Press
In 1945, Lawrence Spivak and journalist Martha Rountree created Meet the Press. It started as a weekly radio show to promote The American Mercury magazine. In November 1947, a TV version began on NBC. The radio show stopped in 1950. Spivak bought Rountree's share of the program in 1953.
In 1955, Spivak sold Meet the Press to NBC. However, he continued to be the host, producer, and a panelist. He retired on November 9, 1975. This was after a special one-hour show with President Gerald R. Ford. This show also marked 28 years of Meet the Press on television. Spivak remained a consultant for NBC until 1989. His last appearance on Meet the Press was in 1983.
Spivak's Interview Style
Arthur Unger, a writer for The Christian Science Monitor, described Spivak's interviews. He said that presidents and world leaders were all treated fairly. They had to face Lawrence Spivak, who was known for his serious look and challenging questions. He was fearless and fair. Beneath his serious face, he had a good nature. His main goal was to get accurate information from the people who made the news.
Spivak was known for his neat appearance. He often wore a bowtie and thick glasses. He was usually the only permanent member of the show's panel of reporters. He would ask the first questions. As the host, he would ask the first question to the guest. Then, he would let the other journalists on the panel ask their questions. There were usually four journalists on the panel during his 28 years as host.
Later Years and Achievements
From 1985 to 1994, Spivak helped produce TV shows for PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). These shows were for the Southern Center for International Studies.
Spivak's office was at the Sheraton-Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., where he also lived. His wife passed away in 1983. Lawrence Spivak died on March 9, 1994, at the age of 93. He passed away from heart failure at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Honors and Awards
Lawrence Spivak received many awards for his work:
- Two Peabody Awards in 1991.
- Two Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
- The Robert Eunson Award from Associated Press Broadcasters.
- The Mass Media Award from the Institute of Human Relations of America Jewish Committee.
- The United States Conference of Mayors' Award.
- The Christopher Award.
- He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Washington chapter of Sigma Delta Chi.
- He received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1968.
See also
In Spanish: Lawrence E. Spivak para niños
