Journalist. Educated at Harvard University, he had a newspaper journalism career that lasted thirty-seven years, obtained a following beginning with his reportage of the 1934 Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy assigned as Staff Historian to Claire Chennault's American Volunteer Group, later famous as the "Flying Tigers." In late fall 1941, he was captured by the Japanese, held prisoner about 6 months, then repatriated through a prisoner exchange (erroneously) as a journalist vs combatant. Known for being a powerbroker through his varied political connections, as well as his popular column, "Matter Of Fact," which was published in over 200 papers nationwide, he was a popular liberal voice. Later in life, he authored best-selling books, wrote magazine articles and lectured on art. At work on a memoir at his Washington, D.C. home, he died due to a combination of cancer, anemia and emphysema. His life became the basis for several novels and a Broadway play.
Journalist. Educated at Harvard University, he had a newspaper journalism career that lasted thirty-seven years, obtained a following beginning with his reportage of the 1934 Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy assigned as Staff Historian to Claire Chennault's American Volunteer Group, later famous as the "Flying Tigers." In late fall 1941, he was captured by the Japanese, held prisoner about 6 months, then repatriated through a prisoner exchange (erroneously) as a journalist vs combatant. Known for being a powerbroker through his varied political connections, as well as his popular column, "Matter Of Fact," which was published in over 200 papers nationwide, he was a popular liberal voice. Later in life, he authored best-selling books, wrote magazine articles and lectured on art. At work on a memoir at his Washington, D.C. home, he died due to a combination of cancer, anemia and emphysema. His life became the basis for several novels and a Broadway play.
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Bio by: Diane ღ