Date of Birth: May 16, 1912
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: October 31, 2008
Biography
Louis “Studs” Terkel was an American author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. Born on May 16, 1912, in New York City, Terkel moved to Chicago when he was eight years old, a city that would become synonymous with his name. He earned a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1934 but found his true calling in the fields of radio and oral history. Terkel was best known for his work in capturing the voices of ordinary Americans through his radio programs and his extensive series of oral history books. His most famous works include “Working,” a book detailing the lives of American workers, and “The Good War,” an oral history of World War II, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985. His career in radio spanned several decades, including a long-running show on WFMT in Chicago, where he interviewed a diverse range of guests. Terkel’s ability to draw out the stories of everyday people made him a beloved figure in American journalism and literature.
5 Interesting Facts about Studs Terkel
1. Studs Terkel was named after Studs Lonigan, the fictional character created by Chicago author James T. Farrell.
2. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for his leftist views and associations.
3. Terkel received the National Humanities Medal in 1997 from President Bill Clinton.
4. He was an avid supporter of civil rights and social justice throughout his life.
5. Terkel continued to work well into his 90s, publishing his final book, “P.S. Further Thoughts from a Lifetime of Listening,” in 2008.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Studs Terkel
1. “I want people to talk to one another no matter what their difference of opinion might be.”
2. “When we die, we will turn into songs, and we will hear each other and remember each other.”
3. “Hope dies last.”
4. “People are hungry for stories. It’s part of our very being.”
5. “I want to find out what people think, not what they should think.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Studs Terkel’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $5 million.
Children
Studs Terkel had one child, a son named Dan Terkel.
Relevant Links
1. [Studs Terkel on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studs_Terkel
2. [Studs Terkel Archive](https://studsterkel.wfmt.com/
3. [Studs Terkel on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/writer/studs-terkel