Drew Pearson

Drew Pearson (December 13, 1897 - September 1, 1969), born in Evanston, Illinois was an American journalist. His father, Paul Pearson, became professor of public speaking at Swarthmore College, and the family moved to Pennsylvania in 1902. After being educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, Pearson attended Swarthmore where he edited its student newspaper, The Phoenix.

Related Topics:
December 13 - 1897 - September 1 - 1969 - Evanston, Illinois - Swarthmore College - Pennsylvania - 1902 - Phillips Exeter Academy

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In 1929, he became a writer for The Baltimore Sun. As a strong supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Pearson's articles were frequently censored by the conservative Sun, so in 1941, he left to work for The Washington Post.

Related Topics:
1929 - The Baltimore Sun - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Conservative - 1941 - The Washington Post

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During World War II he worked as a radio broadcaster. In 1945, he hired Jack Anderson for the staff of his column, the 'Merry-Go-Round', which Anderson took over after Pearson's death in 1969.

Related Topics:
World War II - Jack Anderson

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Pearson was critical of some of the actions and statements of powerful U.S. Congressman John Parnell Thomas and his methods as Chairman of the House Committee on Un-American Activities that saw the ultimate imprisonment of the "Hollywood Ten." Rumors about corrupt practises on the part of Thomas were confirmed when Thomas's secretary, Helen Campbell, sent documents to Pearson which he used to expose the corruption in an August 4, 1948 newspaper article. As a result, Thomas had to resign and was charged, tried, convicted and sent to prison.

Related Topics:
U.S. Congressman - John Parnell Thomas - House Committee on Un-American Activities - Hollywood Ten

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In the early 1950s Pearson was one of the few journalists to stand up against McCarthyism.

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