John Gunther
John Gunther was an American journalist and author, born in Chicago in 1901. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1922 and began his career as a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Daily News, primarily based in London. Throughout his career, Gunther traveled extensively across Europe, which influenced his writing. He is best known for his "Inside" series of books, which examined the political climates of various regions, starting with "Inside Europe" in 1936. His most notable work, "Death Be Not Proud," published in 1949, is a poignant memoir about his family's experience with the loss of his son. Gunther had two marriages, with his second wife, Jane Perry Vandercook, and adopted a son after his first marriage ended in divorce. He continued to write until the late 1960s, with his last work, "Inside South America," published in 1967. Gunther passed away in 1970 in New York City due to liver cancer.
On this Page
Subject Terms
John Gunther
Journalist
- Born: August 30, 1901
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Died: May 29, 1970
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
John Gunther was born on the north side of Chicago in 1901. He attended the University of Chicago and graduated in 1922. Two years later, he took a position with the Chicago Daily News as a foreign correspondent for the paper. His reputation as a journalist began to grow, and while Gunther served mainly as the London correspondent, he was able to travel extensively around Europe.
In 1927, he married Frances Fineman. Two years later, the couple had their first child, who died at the age of only four months. They also had a son, John, who would die at the age of seventeen. In 1944, Gunther and his first wife divorced. In 1948, Gunther married his second wife, Jane Perry Vandercook. The couple adopted a son, who would remain as Gunther’s sole surviving child.
In 1936, Gunther started to write his Inside series. The series of books focused on the political climate of different countries and regions all over the world. Gunther started the series with Inside Europe, based on his extensive travels. Later Inside titles would include the United States, Latin America, and Russia.
Gunther wrote a number of other works including novels and biographies, yet his most recognized work is Death Be Not Proud, published in 1949. Death Be Not Proud is the memoir of Gunther and his family dealing with the loss of his son John, who died of a rain tumorb in 1947. Gunther continued to write until the late 1960’s, his last published work being 1967’s Inside South America.
Gunther died in 1970 of liver cancer. He was living in New York City at the time.