Edward R. Murrow (April 25, 1908 – April 27, 1965) was an American broadcast journalist and war correspondent whose pioneering work in radio and television journalism set standards for integrity, courage, and impact. Known for his incisive reporting and distinctive voice, Murrow became a household name during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly through his World War II broadcasts from London and his later television exposés. Born in North Carolina and raised in Washington state, the family moved to Blanchard, Washington, when Murrow was six, seeking better economic opportunities. There, they lived in a log cabin and farmed.
Murrow attended Edison High School in Mount Vernon, where he excelled in debate and served as student body president. He worked summers as a logger in Washington’s forest. He initially attended Washington State College in Pullman, majoring in speech, and was active in student government and the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later transferred to Stanford University and graduated in 1930 with a degree in speech from Washington State.
Murrow joined the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in 1935 as director of talks and education, tasked with arranging cultural and educational programs. In 1937, he was sent to London as CBS’s European director, initially coordinating broadcasts rather than reporting.
Murrow’s career-defining moment came during World War II, starting with his live radio reports from London during the 1940 Blitz. His broadcasts, often beginning with “This is London,” brought the war’s reality to American listeners through vivid descriptions of air raids, sirens, and civilian resilience. His rooftop reports during bombings, capturing anti-aircraft fire and explosions, were groundbreaking for their immediacy. These reports, aired on CBS’s World News Roundup (which Murrow helped establish in 1938), shifted U.S. public opinion toward supporting the Allies before Pearl Harbor. His team, dubbed “Murrow’s Boys” (including William L. Shirer, Eric Sevareid, and Howard K. Smith), set a high standard for foreign correspondents.
A heavy smoker, Murrow was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964. He died on April 27, 1965, at his farm in Pawling, New York, at age 57.
CBS Radio Network, 30 Apr 1965 – WFAU Augusta, Maine – Archives (42:41)
