Theodore White

Date of Birth: May 6, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: May 15, 1986

Biography

Theodore H. White was an American journalist and historian, best known for his in-depth reporting and analysis of American political campaigns. Born on May 6, 1915, in Boston, Massachusetts, White rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential political journalists of the 20th century. He attended Harvard University, where he studied under the legendary historian Samuel Eliot Morison. After graduating in 1938, White worked in China as a foreign correspondent during World War II, gaining valuable experience and a unique perspective on global affairs. White’s career took a significant turn when he began writing about American politics. His groundbreaking book, “The Making of the President 1960,” provided an unprecedented look at the inner workings of the Kennedy campaign and won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1962. This success led to a series of “Making of the President” books covering the 1964, 1968, and 1972 elections. White’s work set a new standard for political reporting and influenced generations of journalists. Throughout his career, White’s insightful commentary and skillful writing earned him numerous accolades and a lasting legacy in the field of journalism. He passed away on May 15, 1986, but his contributions to political journalism continue to be celebrated and studied.

5 Interesting Facts about Theodore White

1. Theodore White won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1962 for his book “The Making of the President 1960.”

2. He served as a foreign correspondent in China during World War II, providing him with a unique global perspective.

3. White’s “The Making of the President” series revolutionized political journalism by offering an in-depth look at American presidential campaigns.

4. He studied under renowned historian Samuel Eliot Morison at Harvard University.

5. White’s work has influenced generations of political journalists and is still considered essential reading for understanding American politics.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Theodore White

1. “The flood of money that gushes into politics today is a pollution of democracy.”

2. “There are two kinds of editors, those who correct your copy and those who say it’s wonderful.”

3. “The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one’s real and declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish squirting out ink.”

4. “The American political idea is an idea of the dignity of the individual; of the right of each to act in accordance with his own conscience.”

5. “The press is like the peculiar uncle you keep in the attic – just one of those unfortunate things.”