Eric Sevareid

Eric Sevareid was a renowned American journalist and commentator who worked for CBS News and was known for his thoughtful and insightful reporting. He was a member of the team of Edward R. Murrow, William Shirer, and Charles Collingwood, and together they covered many significant events, including World War II and the Nuremberg Trials. Sevareid's reporting often took him to Europe, where he covered events such as the Battle of Britain and the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He was also a frequent contributor to The New York Times and The Washington Post.

● Early Life and Education

Eric Sevareid was born in Velva, North Dakota, to Alfred Sevareid and Clara Haldorson Sevareid. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and developed an interest in journalism at an early age, inspired by the work of H.L. Mencken and Walter Lippmann. Sevareid attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied English literature and history, and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He also worked as a reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, covering events such as the Minnesota State Fair and the Republican National Convention.

● Career

Sevareid's career in journalism spanned over four decades, during which he worked for CBS News, NBC News, and ABC News. He was a correspondent for Edward R. Murrow's See It Now program, and covered many significant events, including the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Sevareid was also a frequent commentator on The CBS Evening News and Face the Nation, where he discussed topics such as the Cold War and the Vietnam War with other notable journalists, including Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. He also worked with other prominent journalists, such as Howard K. Smith and John Cameron Swayze, to cover events such as the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.

● Notable Works and Awards

Sevareid was the author of several books, including Not So Wild a Dream, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Small Sounds in the Night, which was a collection of his essays and commentary. He also won several awards for his reporting, including multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. Sevareid was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was awarded honorary degrees from Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University. He was also a fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.

● Personal Life

Sevareid was married to Lois Finger Sevareid, and they had two children, Peter Sevareid and Christine Sevareid. He was a close friend of many notable figures, including Edward R. Murrow, Walter Lippmann, and Archibald MacLeish. Sevareid was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hiking and fishing in his free time, often visiting places such as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon. He was a member of the Explorers Club and the National Geographic Society, and supported the work of the Sierra Club and the Wilderness Society.

● Legacy

Sevareid's legacy as a journalist and commentator continues to be felt today, with many regarding him as one of the most thoughtful and insightful reporters of his generation. He was a pioneer of television news and played a significant role in shaping the medium, along with other notable journalists such as Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. Sevareid's reporting and commentary continue to be studied by journalists and scholars at institutions such as the University of Southern California, University of California, Berkeley, and New York University. His work has also been recognized by the Library of Congress, which has archived many of his broadcasts and writings, including his coverage of the Watergate scandal and the Iran hostage crisis. Sevareid's legacy is also celebrated by the Eric Sevareid Award, which is presented annually by the University of Minnesota to recognize excellence in journalism and commentary. Category:American journalists