Alexander Cockburn

Date of Birth: June 6, 1941

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: July 21, 2012

Biography

Alexander Cockburn was a prominent British-American journalist known for his outspoken and often controversial views. Born into a family deeply entrenched in journalism and literature, Cockburn carved out a niche for himself as a fearless critic of mainstream media, politics, and societal norms. He was born in Scotland and educated at Oxford University before moving to the United States, where he became a central figure in leftist journalism. Cockburn began his American career writing for “The Village Voice” and later co-founded the political newsletter “CounterPunch.” Throughout his career, he contributed to various publications, including “The Nation,” “The Wall Street Journal,” and “Los Angeles Times.” Known for his sharp wit and unyielding stance on issues ranging from environmentalism to foreign policy, Cockburn remained a significant voice in journalism until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Alexander Cockburn

1. Alexander Cockburn was the son of Claud Cockburn, a well-known British journalist and novelist.

2. He co-founded the political newsletter “CounterPunch” with Ken Silverstein.

3. Cockburn was a proponent of skepticism towards mainstream environmentalism, particularly questioning the consensus on climate change.

4. He authored several books, including “Corruptions of Empire” and “Washington Babylon.”

5. Despite being a critic of American foreign policy, Cockburn held dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alexander Cockburn

1. “The First Law of Journalism: to confirm existing prejudice, rather than contradict it.”

2. “Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization.”

3. “Be skeptical of all opinions, including your own.”

4. “The function of a journalist is to disturb, to raise questions, to challenge assumptions.”

5. “The left’s critique of the media is a necessary but insufficient condition for a real understanding of how power works.”