Reston, James B. (1909-1995) | University of Illinois Archives

Name: Reston, James B. (1909-1995)

Variant Name: Scotty Reston

Historical Note: James Barrett Reston, along with such writers as Eric Sevareid, Joseph Alsop, and Walter Lippmann, had a tremendous influence on shaping twentieth-century American journalism. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Reston worked in publicity and reporting before taking a job with the Associated Press. In 1937, he went to London to cover news and sports for the A. P. During this assignment, Reston met Arthur Hays Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times. Soon after their encounter, Reston began work at the Times's London bureau, and he continued his relationship with the paper until his death more than fifty years later. His specialties included political and international reporting, topics upon which he commented extensively first as a reporter and later as a columnist at the paper's Washington bureau. In addition to his duties as a writer, Reston served as the chief Washington correspondent from 1953 until 1964, and also worked as associated editor (1964-68), executive editor (1968-69), and vice president (1969-74). The best source on Reston's life is his 1991 autobiography, Deadline: A Memoir (New York: Random House, 1991). The papers contain extensive manuscript drafts of this book.