Russell Baker facts for kids

Russell Wayne Baker (born August 14, 1925 – died January 21, 2019) was a famous American journalist and writer. He was known for his funny and thoughtful articles, called satirical commentary. He also wrote a book about his life, Growing Up, which won a special award.

Russell Baker wrote for The New York Times newspaper for many years, from 1962 to 1998. He also hosted a TV show called Masterpiece Theatre on PBS from 1992 to 2004. People thought he was very special because he could write about serious topics with gentle humor.

Early Life and Education

Russell Baker was born in Loudoun County, Virginia. His parents were Benjamin Rex Baker and Lucy Elizabeth. When he was eleven, Russell decided he wanted to be a writer. He thought writing didn't seem like hard work!

In 1942, he went to Johns Hopkins University on a scholarship. He studied there for a year before joining the Navy to train as a pilot. He left the Navy in 1945 and went back to Johns Hopkins. He finished his English degree in 1947.

Russell Baker's Career

Becoming a Journalist

After college, Russell Baker started working at The Baltimore Sun newspaper. He began as a night police reporter. He worked hard and was sent to London in 1952 to report for the paper. Later, he became a reporter at the White House.

Writing Columns

Russell Baker worked for The New York Times for eight years, covering the White House and other important government news. From 1962 to 1998, he wrote a popular column called "Observer." This column appeared in newspapers all over the country.

At first, his column was mostly about politics. But after he moved to New York City in 1974, he started writing about many other topics too. He also wrote for other national magazines like The New York Times Magazine and Sports Illustrated.

Being a Writer

Russell Baker wrote or helped to edit seventeen books. He won his first Pulitzer Prize in 1979 for his "Observer" columns. This award is for excellent journalism.

He won a second Pulitzer Prize in 1983 for his autobiography, Growing Up. An autobiography is a book about the author's own life. He is one of only a few people to win a Pulitzer Prize for both journalism and literature. In 1989, he wrote a second book about his life called The Good Times.

TV Host and Narrator

In 1993, Russell Baker became the host of the TV show Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. He took over from another famous host, Alistair Cooke. He also narrated a documentary called The Way West in 1995 for PBS.

Personal Life

In 1950, Russell Baker married Miriam Nash. They had four children: Allen, Kasia, Michael, and Phyllis. Miriam passed away in 2015.

Russell Baker died at his home in Leesburg, Virginia, on January 21, 2019. He was 93 years old.

Awards and Honors

• 1978 – George Polk Award for Commentary
• 1979 – Pulitzer Prize Winner in Commentary
• 1983 – Pulitzer Prize Winner in Biography
• 1993 – Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
• 1998 – George Polk Award for Career Achievements
• Baltimore City College Hall of Fame

See also

In Spanish: Russell Baker para niños