Edward R Morrow was one of the most remarkable and respected journalists of modern times. He pioneered in radio news reporting as a London correspondent for NBC during World War II, and he later lent his voice and unique perspective to television news.

Born Egbert Roscoe Murrow in Polecat Creek, N.C., Murrow and his family soon moved to Washington state where he worked in logging camps from the age of 14 throughout his college career. Debate and public speaking classes in high school and active participation in student politics during college helped form Murrow’s persona.

After graduating from Washington State College, now Washington State University, he was hired as Director of Talks at CBS. He was promoted in 1937 and became CBS Representative in Europe. He is most remembered by many for his broadcasts from London during the German bombings of the city. Murrow resigned an executive position with CBS to resume his career as newscaster, this time covering the war in Korea.

Upon his return he become anchor for several television news programs. Many people give the format of these shows credit for launching the modern television news show. He narrated and co-produced "See It Now" in 1951, which was the first coast-to-coast live network show. He launched "Person to Person" in 1953, interviewing Senator Joe McCarthy in 1954 and starting a flurry of controversy that signaled the beginning of the end for the senator’s career.

Edward Murrow’s last broadcast was in January 1961. He accepted a position as director of the United States Information Agency, a position he took at the request of President John Kennedy.

Murrow was also known for attracting young, promising reporters to CBS’s ranks. William Downs and William Shirer were two of the so-called "Murrow’s Boys."

After serving only three years at the USIA, Murrow resigned due to poor health. He died on April 27, 1964, of lung and brain cancer. He was 57.

Murrow links:
Old Time Radio
American Masters PBS series: Edward R. Murrow