Edward R. Murrow

Full Name: Edward Roscoe Murrow, born Egbert Roscoe Murrow
Profession: Broadcast Journalist and Radio Correspondent

Biography: Edward R. Murrow was an American broadcast journalist who set the standard for journalistic excellence during the golden age of radio and television news. He is perhaps best known for his series of news reports that helped lead to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who was leading a witch hunt for supposed communists in the U.S. government, military, and Hollywood during the early 1950s.

Murrow began his career in radio, working for CBS in the 1930s and 1940s. His live radio broadcasts from Europe during World War II brought the realities of the war into American homes. Murrow's gripping, on-the-scene reporting style forever changed the face of news broadcasting.

In the 1950s, Murrow transitioned to television and hosted the popular news show "See It Now." This program was revolutionary in its use of live interviews and in-depth reporting. It was through "See It Now" that Murrow made his influential reports on McCarthyism, exposing the senator's tactics and challenging the fear of communism that was gripping the nation.

Murrow continued his career in broadcast journalism as an executive at CBS, and later served as director of the United States Information Agency under President John F. Kennedy.

Born: April 25, 1908
Birthplace: Guilford County, North Carolina, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Taurus

Died: April 27, 1965 (aged 57)
Cause of Death: Lung cancer after a life of chain smoking