Waverley Root

Waverley Lewis Root (April 15, 1903 in Providence, Rhode Island – October 31, 1982 in Paris) was an American journalist and writer. Root authored the classic The Food of Italy on Italy and its regional cuisines.^[1]

Early life and education

Root was born in Providence, Rhode Island but was raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. He obtained his degree from Tufts College.

Career

Root was a news correspondent for over 30 years and in 1969 he retired from daily journalism.^[2] He was the Paris correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and then the Washington Post. His books and writings focused on food.

After graduating college, he moved to Greenwich Village, New York City.

Writings

He is possibly best known for his writings on food including:

• The Food of France (1958)
• The Cooking of Italy (1968)^[3]
• Paris Dining Guide (1969)
• The Food of Italy (1971)
• Eating in America: A History (1976) - with Richard De Rochemont
• Food, an Authoritative and Visual History and Dictionary of the Foods of the World (1980)

He also wrote:

• The Truth about Wagner (1928)
• The Secret History of the War (1946)
• Winter Sports in Europe (1956)
• The Paris Edition; The Autobiography of Waverley Root, 1927-1934 (1987)'

Family

Root was married to his wife Colette and he had a daughter, Diane Lane, from his third marriage.

Death

Root died in his sleep at the age of 79. The cause of his death was from a pulmonary ailment.^[2]

References

1. ↑ Caravaggio review May 15, 2013 New York Times
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Waverely L. Root, 79, Journalist". New York Times. Retrieved 16 September 2013. 
3. ↑ The Cooking of Italy (International Edition), by Waverley Root, photographed by Fred Lyon, Time-Life International (Nederland), 1969, page 4 (bottom).