Russell Baker

Writer

Russell Baker covered politics for *The New York Times* from 1954 to 1962. From 1962 to 1982, he became well known for his "Observer" column where he wrote on a wide range of subjects. He won the Geoge Polk award for commentary and tow Pulitzer Prizes -- one for distinguished commentary and one for his autobiography, *Growing Up*. He went on to replace Alistair Cooke in the 1990s as the host of PBS' *Masterpiece Theater*.