Rowland Evans facts for kids

Rowland Evans Jr. (born April 28, 1921 – died March 23, 2001) was an American journalist. He was best known for his long-lasting partnership with Robert Novak. Together, they wrote a popular newspaper column and hosted a TV show for many years. Their work continued even with a special newsletter until Evans passed away.

Rowland Evans Jr.: A Journalist's Story

Early Life and Military Service

Evans meeting President Gerald Ford in 1975

Rowland Evans Jr. was born in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania. He briefly attended Yale University. However, he left college to join the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He bravely served in the Solomon Islands.

In 1944, Evans became sick with malaria and was medically discharged from the Marines. After leaving the military, he started his career in journalism. He first worked for the Philadelphia Bulletin. Later, he joined the New York Herald-Tribune. He became their reporter covering the United States Congress in Washington, D.C., starting in 1945.

Partnering with Robert Novak (1945–1979)

While working as a Congressional reporter, Rowland Evans met Robert Novak. Novak was also a reporter, working for The Wall Street Journal. They quickly became lifelong writing partners.

In 1963, Evans and Novak started their nationally shared newspaper column. This column was published in many newspapers across the country. Four years later, in 1967, they launched their own newsletter called the "Evans-Novak Political Report." Their work was so impactful that Evans was even listed among people that President Nixon did not favor.

TV Shows and Books (1980–1990)

By 1980, the "Evans & Novak" column was one of the most widely read in the United States. They were also often invited to appear on radio and television news shows. They were among the first journalists to join the new TV channel, CNN. Their show, Evans & Novak, became one of CNN's most popular discussion programs.

Later, other journalists like Al Hunt and Mark Shields joined the show. Evans began to do less on-air work. The show's name then changed to Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields. Besides their column and TV show, Evans also wrote articles for many well-known magazines. These included Harper's, The Saturday Evening Post, and The Atlantic. He also became a contributing editor for Reader's Digest.

Evans and Novak also wrote several books together. These books often focused on American presidents and politics. Some of their books included Lyndon B. Johnson: The Exercise of Power (1966) and Nixon in the White House: The Frustration of Power (1971). They also wrote The Reagan Revolution (1981). Their work was also featured in a famous book called The Boys on the Bus. This book was about how reporters covered the 1972 presidential campaigns.

Even though Evans had strong conservative views, he was a close friend of President John F. Kennedy. Robert Novak shared that Kennedy had his very first dinner as president-elect with Rowland Evans.

Later Years and Legacy (1990–2001)

Rowland Evans retired from writing the "Evans & Novak" newspaper column in 1993. However, he continued to work with Robert Novak on television. They also kept publishing their bi-weekly newsletter, The Evans & Novak Political Report.

In 2000, Evans was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He passed away in a Washington, D.C. hospital on March 23, 2001. He died just a month before his 80th birthday. Rowland Evans Jr. left behind a significant legacy in American journalism.