Murray Kempton
Murray Kempton was an influential American journalist and columnist, born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1917. He began his career at the Baltimore Evening Sun under the mentorship of H. L. Mencken before attending Johns Hopkins University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Johns Hopkins Newsletter. Following his graduation in 1939, Kempton briefly worked as a labor organizer before joining the New York Post, where he served as a labor editor and later became a columnist. His journalistic contributions spanned several notable publications, including the Sun, World-Telegram, and The New Republic in the 1960s. Kempton's work at Newsday, where he began writing columns in 1981, earned him significant recognition, including a Pulitzer Prize in 1985. Additionally, he authored several acclaimed books, such as "Part of Our Time" and "The Briar Patch," the latter winning the National Book Award. Remembered for his insightful commentary, Kempton's legacy in American journalism continued until his passing in 1997.
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Subject Terms
Murray Kempton
Journalist
- Born: December 16, 1917
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
- Died: May 5, 1997
Biography
Murray Kempton was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1917. His first job was working for the Baltimore Evening Sun under H. L. Mencken. It was there that Kempton got his first taste of journalism. When he was old enough, he began to study at Johns Hopkins University, and he served as the editor-in-chief of the Johns Hopkins Newsletter. He graduated in 1939 and held a short stint as a labor organizer before taking a job with the New York Post.
During World War II, Kempton served in the United States Air Force. After returning to the United States after the war, Kempton returned to the New York Post in 1949 as the labor editor. Eventually he would become a columnist. In the years to follow, Kempton would work for the Sun and World- Telegram, both based out of New York City. In the 1960’s Kempton even helped edit The New Republic. However, he is not as remembered for these accomplishments, as the ones that were to follow.
Starting in 1981, Kempton took a job with Newsday as a columnist until his death. Later in his life, he also published numerous collections of his columns and other books, as well as articles for the New York Review of Books. In 1985, Kempton was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his Newsday columns. Kempton’s books include Part of Our Time: Some Ruins and Monuments of the Thirties, published in 1955, and The Briar Patch: The People of the State of New York v. Lumumba Shakur in 1973, the latter of which won the National Book Award.
Kempton passed away in 1997, regarded as one of the more talented columnists the twentieth century had to offer.