Russell Baker, a beloved humorist, prolific writer and columnist for the New York Times who twice won the Pulitzer Prize, died on Monday in Virginia.…
Russell Baker, a beloved humorist, prolific writer and columnist for the New York Times who twice won the Pulitzer Prize, died on Monday in Virginia. He was 93.
Baker, who according to his son Allen died of complications from a fall, was best known for his autobiography, “Growing Up,” about his early life in his native Baltimore, and also for his appearance as the host of “Masterpiece Theatre.”
His column, “Observer,” ran for decades in the Times and featured Baker’s dry-wit and biting sense of humor on topics ranging from economics to everyday life in America.
“Listening to the economics wizards talk about the recession,” Baker opened a 1979 column, “you get the feeling that things are going to get better as soon as they get worse.”
He was awarded the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for his “Observer” columns, the first time the prize was given to a humorist for commentary.
