Russell Baker, Pulitzer-winning columnist, dies

Fourth Estate Award winner Russell Baker, 93, died on Jan. 21 at his home in Leesburg, Va., after a long career as a journalist and author that include two Pulitzer Prizes.

Baker grew up in Loudoun County, Va. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University he began his career as a journalist. That took him and his wife, Mimi, to Baltimore, New York, Washington and London. He covered presidents and the Senate among other illustrious assignments.

His credits include a Pulitzer Prize for his New York Times column entitled the "Observer". His book “Growing Up,'' about his life as a youngster in Loudoun County, earned him a second Pulitzer. The Club honored him with the Fourth Estate award in 1989. In addition to his journalism roles, he hosted “Masterpiece Theater" for 12 years.

Some 30-plus years ago, he and hi Mimi returned to his roots, buying a house in downtown Leesburg. He had gone into semi-retirement while still plying his craft occasionally for the New York Review of Books.

He once represented his good friend, David Halberstam, author of “The Coldest Winter" at the Club’s annual Book Fair. Halberstam had died in an automobile accident.

In 2007, he attended a book rap featuring James Reston Jr.'s book on the Frost/Nixon interviews. Reston’s father, Scotty Reston, had been The New York Times bureau chief with Baker as one of his journalists. As he and Reston conversed after the event. the Club photographer came to me and asked, “Is that Russell Baker?”

“Yes,” I said, “would you like to meet him?”

“Oh, I already know him. He was the only one who sent me a thank you note after I had taken his photo when he won the Fourth Estate Award,” the photographer said.

The family has opted for no memorial service. Instead, they have designated Baker’s high school, Baltimore City College, to be the recipient of any donations on his behalf.