Russell Baker
Full Name and Common Aliases
Russell Wayne Baker, commonly known as Russell Baker, was a celebrated American writer and journalist whose wit and insight left an indelible mark on American literature and journalism.
Birth and Death Dates
Russell Baker was born on August 14, 1925, and passed away on January 21, 2019.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Russell Baker was an American by nationality. He was a distinguished journalist, essayist, and author, best known for his work as a columnist for The New York Times and as the host of the television program Masterpiece Theatre.
Early Life and Background
Russell Baker was born in the small town of Morrisonville, Virginia. His early life was marked by the challenges of the Great Depression, which deeply influenced his perspective and writing style. After the death of his father when Baker was just five years old, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where his mother worked tirelessly to support the family. Baker's early experiences of hardship and resilience would later become a recurring theme in his writing.
Baker attended Johns Hopkins University, where he honed his skills in writing and journalism. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the United States Navy. After the war, he returned to complete his degree, setting the stage for a remarkable career in journalism.
Major Accomplishments
Russell Baker's career took off when he joined The New York Times in 1954. He became widely known for his column "Observer," which he wrote from 1962 to 1998. His columns, characterized by their humor and keen observations of American life and politics, earned him two Pulitzer Prizes. The first, awarded in 1979, was for Commentary, recognizing his insightful and often humorous take on the events of the day. The second Pulitzer, awarded in 1983, was for his autobiography, Growing Up, which vividly recounted his childhood and the struggles of his family during the Depression.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Baker's most notable works is his memoir, Growing Up, which not only won a Pulitzer Prize but also became a bestseller, resonating with readers for its candid and poignant portrayal of his early life. Another significant work is The Good Times, a sequel to his memoir that chronicles his career in journalism.
In addition to his writing, Baker became a familiar face on television as the host of Masterpiece Theatre from 1992 to 2004. His tenure on the show introduced him to a broader audience and further cemented his status as a cultural icon.
Impact and Legacy
Russell Baker's impact on journalism and literature is profound. His ability to blend humor with serious commentary set a standard for columnists and essayists. His work provided a lens through which readers could view the complexities of American society with both clarity and levity. Baker's columns often challenged the status quo, encouraging readers to think critically about the world around them.
His memoirs, particularly Growing Up, have been praised for their narrative style and emotional depth, offering insights into the American experience during the 20th century. Baker's legacy is one of wit, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to truth in journalism.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Russell Baker is widely quoted and remembered for his sharp wit and insightful commentary on American life. His ability to capture the essence of the human experience with humor and empathy made his writing both accessible and profound. Baker's quotes often reflect his keen understanding of human nature and society, making them timeless in their relevance.
His work continues to inspire journalists, writers, and readers who appreciate the power of words to inform, entertain, and provoke thought. Russell Baker's legacy as a master of the written word ensures that his voice will be heard and quoted for generations to come.
Quotes by Russell Baker
Russell Baker's insights on:
A team is a mutual protection society formed to guarantee that no one person can be to blame for a botched committee job that one man would have performed satisfactorily.
Either possibility could account for a growing sense that the good times were behind me, and the serious times ahead.
The French fried potato has become an inescapable horror in almost every public eating place in the country. 'French fries,' say the menus, but they are not French fries any longer. They are a furry-textured substance with the taste of plastic wood.
New York is the only city in the world where you can get deliberately run down on the sidewalk by a pedestrian.
Industrial-strength foolishness sets in-in males, at least-at about the age of 18. This is why the military prefers males in the 18-to-25-year-old range when there’s combat to be done.
In an age when the fashion is to be in love with yourself, confessing to be in love with somebody else is an admission of unfaithfulness to one’s beloved.
Notice, for example, that people who talk about “the joys of childhood” are always adults. Only an adult, utterly remote from the reality of childhood, could suppose it is time of joys.
Sending grown-ups up the wall is one of the things adolescence is all about. A few years ago it was done with rock ‘n’ roll music. Now at least they can do it quietly with a home computer.