Sydney J. Harris

Date of Birth: September 14, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: December 7, 1986

Biography

Sydney J. Harris was an American journalist and author, renowned for his insightful and thought-provoking columns that graced newspapers for several decades. Born in London, England, Harris moved to the United States at a young age, where he would eventually make a significant impact on American journalism. He started his career in the 1940s, writing for the Chicago Daily News and later the Chicago Sun-Times, where he became one of the paper’s most beloved columnists. His column, “Strictly Personal,” was syndicated in hundreds of newspapers across North America. Harris’s writing often delved into the complexities of human nature, education, and social issues, presenting them in a way that was both accessible and profound. He authored several books, including “Pieces of Eight” and “For the Time Being,” which compiled many of his best columns and essays. Sydney J. Harris remains a revered figure in journalism, remembered for his sharp wit, deep empathy, and the ability to connect with readers on a personal level.

5 Interesting Facts about Sydney J. Harris

1. Sydney J. Harris was a lifelong advocate for education and often wrote about its importance in his columns.

2. His column “Strictly Personal” ran for over four decades and was widely syndicated.

3. Harris’s writing style was known for its clarity, wit, and philosophical depth.

4. He wrote a total of 11 books, with “Pieces of Eight” being one of his most popular works.

5. Harris was awarded the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for journalistic excellence.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sydney J. Harris

1. “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.”

2. “Happiness is a direction, not a place.”

3. “Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.”

4. “Never take the advice of someone who has not had your kind of trouble.”

5. “The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say ‘I was wrong.’”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Sydney J. Harris’s highest net worth was never publicly documented, but he was well-compensated for his syndicated columns and book sales, making him a financially successful journalist of his time.

Children

Sydney J. Harris had two children, a son named Michael Harris and a daughter named Barbara Harris. Both have pursued careers outside of journalism, with Michael becoming an academic and Barbara working in the arts.