Harry Reasoner

Harry Reasoner was a prominent American broadcast journalist and news anchor whose distinctive, low-key delivery and literary style made him a trusted figure in television news for over three decades. He is best remembered as a founding correspondent on the groundbreaking news magazine 60 Minutes and for his tenure as co-anchor of the ABC World News Tonight. His career spanned pivotal moments in 20th-century American history, during which he reported from the White House, Vietnam, and numerous national political conventions, earning multiple awards for his work.

Early Life and Education

Born in Dakota City, Iowa, he was the son of a school superintendent and developed an early interest in writing. He attended Stanford University before his studies were interrupted by service in the United States Army during World War II, where he served as an information and education specialist. After the war, he completed his degree in journalism at the University of Minnesota, where he also worked for the campus newspaper, the *Minnesota Daily*, and the local Minneapolis radio station WCCO.

Career

Reasoner began his professional journalism career writing for the *Minneapolis Times* before joining CBS News in 1956. He quickly became a respected writer and reporter, contributing to programs like CBS Reports and serving as a primary anchor for weekend news broadcasts. In 1968, he was selected as one of the original correspondents for the new CBS program 60 Minutes, where his thoughtful essays and interviews became a signature element of the show's success. In a major career move, he left CBS in 1970 to help revitalize ABC News, where he first solo-anchored the network's evening news and later formed a famed, though ultimately short-lived, co-anchor team with Howard K. Smith on the ABC Evening News. He returned to CBS and 60 Minutes in 1978, remaining with the program until his retirement in 1991, covering stories ranging from profiles of figures like Anwar Sadat to examinations of social issues.

Personal Life

He was married twice, first to Kathleen Carroll with whom he had six children, and later to producer Lois Harriett Weber. Known for his dry wit and intellectual curiosity, his interests extended beyond journalism to literature and music. He authored several books, including *Before the Colors Fade*, a memoir. In his later years, he lived in Westport, Connecticut, and continued to write and contribute occasional pieces until his death from complications following heart surgery in August 1991.

Legacy

Reasoner is remembered as a pioneer of television journalism who helped define the role of the network news anchor and correspondent. His literary approach to broadcast writing, emphasizing clarity and nuance, influenced a generation of journalists. His work on 60 Minutes was instrumental in establishing the long-form television news magazine as a dominant and respected format. Colleagues, including Mike Wallace and Don Hewitt, often cited his elegant writing and calm, authoritative on-air presence as key to the program's credibility and appeal.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including several Emmy Awards for his reporting and writing. He was honored with a George Foster Peabody Award for his documentary work. In 1986, he received the Paul White Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association, recognizing his lifetime contribution to electronic journalism. His legacy is also cemented in the Television Hall of Fame, into which he was posthumously inducted in recognition of his lasting impact on the broadcast news industry.

Category:American television journalists Category:American news anchors Category:60 Minutes correspondents Category:1991 deaths