Ludlow, Lynn (1933-2025) | University of Illinois Archives

Lynn Frederick Ludlow (1933-2025) was a San Francisco-based journalist and musician. Ludlow was born near Corvallis, Montana. His father was a schoolteacher and piano instructor and his mother was a poet. His family moved to San Francisco in 1942. Although he was accepted to Harvard University, his family finances prohibited him from attending and he instead attended San Francisco State College. In the early 1960s, Ludlow served as a reporter for the Champaign-Urbana Courier, the San Rafael Independent Journal, and the San Jose Mercury News. While reporting for the Champaign-Urbana Courier, he conducted an interview with Eleanor Roosevelt.

In 1963, he became a reporter and editor for the San Francisco Examiner. Several of his first stories with the Examiner covered the political turmoil of the 1960s, including the assassination of San Francisco mayoral candidate Harvey Milk. He also taught journalism at San Francisco State University, Columbia University, and Dominican University. While Harry Partch was directing the Gate 5 Ensemble, Ludlow served as the Surrogate Kithara player. In his spare time, Ludlow also played old time music and was the founding member of the Flapjacks.