Charles Collingwood (journalist)

Charles Collingwood

1962 with Jacqueline Kennedy on TV tour of the White House.
Born June 4, 1917(1917-06-04)
Three Rivers, Michigan
Died October 3, 1985(1985-10-03) (aged 68)
Education Deep Springs College, Cornell University, Oxford University
Occupation Broadcast journalist
Spouse(s) Louise Allbritton (1946-1979) her death
Tatiana Jolin (? - 1985) his death
Notable credit(s) CBS News

Charles Collingwood (June 4, 1917 – October 3, 1985) was a television newscaster.

Born in Three Rivers, Michigan, Collingwood graduated from Deep Springs College and Cornell University and in 1939 received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. After working in London for United Press, Collingwood was hired by Edward R. Murrow during the Second World War (one of Murrow's Boys) and quickly became known as an urbane and spontaneously eloquent on-air journalist. He was part of a group of early television journalists that included Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevareid, and Murrow himself.[1]

One of his first roles on television was as host of the CBS documentary series Adventure, produced in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History.[2] He went on to become chief correspondent of CBS and host of its Eyewitness to History series. He was a leading figure in CBS's expansion to include international coverage. He reported from the Normandy invasion (at Omaha Beach), Vietnam, the White House, and numerous other sites.

In the late 1960s, Collingwood was the first U.S. reporter allowed into North Vietnam, which was at war with U.S.-backed South Vietnam and the American troops stationed there. The visit was largely the inspiration for Collingwood's 1970 espionage novel, "The Defector." The book received critical praise for its merits as a thriller and for its insights into the complexities of the Vietnam War.

Collingwood served as substitute anchor during portions of CBS' coverage of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, relieving Walter Cronkite only minutes after Cronkite had announced official confirmation of the President's death.[3]

Personal life

He was married to actress Louise Allbritton from 1946 until her death from cancer in 1979. He later married singer Tatiana Jolin and remained married to her until his death.

Collingwood retired in 1982. He died from cancer on October 3, 1985.

References

  1. ^ Olson, Lynn and Cloud, Stanley W. The Murrow Boys: Pioneers on the Front Lines of Broadcast Journalism. October 31, 1997. Mariner Books. ISBN=0395877539.
  2. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1976). The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs 1947-1976 (Vol. 1). South Brunswick and New York: A.S. Barnes and Company. ISBN 0-498-01561-0.
  3. ^ Cronkite, Walter (1997). A Reporter's Life. Random House, Inc.. p. 305. ISBN 034541103X. 

External links