Russell Baker, "New York Times", Quotes

A collection of quotes by Russell Baker, "New York Times",.

Russell Baker was an American journalist, columnist, and author, best known for his work at The New York Times. He was born on August 14, 1925, in Morrisonville, Virginia, and grew up in rural Virginia during the Great Depression. Baker served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II before attending Johns Hopkins University, where he obtained a degree in English.

Beginning his career in journalism, Baker joined The Baltimore Sun as a reporter in 1947 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the paper's London correspondent in 1953. In 1954, he joined The New York Times, where he worked for the next 36 years. During his tenure at The Times, Baker served as a White House correspondent alongside reporting on politics, culture, and society.

However, Baker was most celebrated for his column, "Observer," which he began writing in 1962. The column showcased Baker's witty and incisive writing style, offering social commentary and critical insights on the events of the day. It gained immense popularity and earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1979.

In addition to his column, Baker ventured into book writing, with notable works including his autobiography "Growing Up" (1982), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography/Autobiography in 1983, and "Good Times" (1989), reflecting on his childhood memories and experiences.

Russell Baker retired from The New York Times in 1998 but continued to write and contribute articles to various publications. He passed away on January 21, 2019, leaving behind a legacy as a respected and influential journalist.