Edwin O. Guthman

Edwin O. Guthman
Born	August 11, 1919 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Died	August 31, 2008(2008-08-31) (aged 89) New York City, U.S.
Education	University of Washington (BA)
Occupations	Journalist Professor
Children	4
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Army
Service years	1942–1946
Rank	File:US-O3 insignia.svg Captain
Awards	File:Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg Silver Star File:Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart

Edwin O. Guthman (August 11, 1919 – August 31, 2008) was an American journalist and university professor. While at the Seattle Times, he won the paper's first Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 1950. Guthman was the third individual listed on Richard Nixon's "Enemies List."

Early life and education

Guthman was born in Seattle, Washington, graduating from the University of Washington in 1941. He was of Jewish descent.

Career

Military

Guthman entered the Army in 1942. During World War II, he served as an infantry regiment reconnaissance platoon leader in both North Africa and Italy. In 1946, he was discharged as a captain. During his tour, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Journalism

Guthman was a reporter for the Seattle Star (1941–1947), and The Seattle Times (1947–1961). While at the Seattle Times, he won the paper's first Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 1950. His articles provided evidence that the Washington State Un-American Activities Committee suppressed evidence that cleared University of Washington professor Melvin Rader of false charges of being a Communist.

In 1961, he was tapped by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to be his press secretary. He later served in a similar position for one year when Kennedy became U.S. Senator from New York in 1965. As a result of his work with Kennedy, he was third on Nixon's Enemies List.

He was the national editor for the Los Angeles Times from 1965 to 1977 and then the editorial page editor for The Philadelphia Inquirer (1977–1987).

Academia

Guthman was a senior lecturer at the USC Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, where he had been a professor since 1987. He retired in 2007.

Personal life

Guthman died August 31, 2008, at his home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, at the age of 89. He suffered from amyloidosis, a rare disease that attacks the internal organs. He was interred at Hillside Memorial Park. He was survived by his four children: Les Guthman, Eddie Guthman, Gary Guthman, and Diane Cancino.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN