Edward W. Barrett
Encyclopedia
Edward Ware Barrett was a United States
journalist
who was Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
from 1950 to 1952, and Dean
of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
from 1956 to 1968, in which capacity he founded the Columbia Journalism Review
in 1961.
, where his father was editor
of the Birmingham Age-Herald
. He was educated at Princeton University
, graduating with a B.A.
in public and international affairs in 1932. During his time at Princeton, he was editor of The Daily Princetonian
.
After college, Barrett worked briefly for CBS
, before joining Newsweek
as a researcher-writer; later, he became the magazine's Washington correspondent and then its national affairs editor. He moved to Today magazine in 1937, but Today merged with Newsweek later in 1937, and he was therefore back at Newsweek. Barrett originated the "Periscope" feature at Newsweek.
During World War II
, Barrett joined the Office of the Coordinator of Information
, which later became the Office of Strategic Services
. Later in 1942, he became chief of the overseas news and features division of the Office of War Information
. After the war, Barrett returned to Newsweek in 1946.
In 1950, President of the United States
Harry S Truman named Barrett Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
and Barrett held this office from February 16, 1950 until February 20, 1952. After his time at the United States Department of State
, Barrett founded his own public relations
firm, Edward W. Barrett and Associates. In 1953, he published a memoir
entitled Truth Is Our Weapon recounting his experiences during World War II. He joined Hill & Knowlton
as executive vice president in 1956.
In 1956, Barrett became Dean
of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
, a post he would hold until 1968, when he resigned. He explained, somewhat cryptically, that his resignation had to do with the Columbia student riots of that year.
He founded the Columbia Journalism Review
in 1961. In 1963, he published a second book, entitled Journalism in Action.
Barrett died at Greenwich Hospital
in Greenwich, Connecticut
on October 23, 1989 at the age of 79.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who was Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Public Affairs within the United States Department of State. Typically, the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs is also the official spokesperson of the State Department...
from 1950 to 1952, and Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is one of Columbia's graduate and professional schools. It offers three degree programs: Master of Science in journalism , Master of Arts in journalism and a Ph.D. in communications...
from 1956 to 1968, in which capacity he founded the Columbia Journalism Review
Columbia Journalism Review
The Columbia Journalism Review is an American magazine for professional journalists published bimonthly by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism since 1961....
in 1961.
Biography
Edward W. Barrett was raised in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, where his father was editor
Editor
The term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
of the Birmingham Age-Herald
Birmingham Post-Herald
The Birmingham Post-Herald was a daily newspaper in Birmingham, Alabama with roots dating back to 1850, before the founding of Birmingham. The final edition was published on September 23, 2005...
. He was educated at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, graduating with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in public and international affairs in 1932. During his time at Princeton, he was editor of The Daily Princetonian
The Daily Princetonian
The Daily Princetonian is the daily independent student newspaper of Princeton University. It is published five days a week from September to May and three days a week during the University's Reading Period in January and May.- Finances :...
.
After college, Barrett worked briefly for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, before joining Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
as a researcher-writer; later, he became the magazine's Washington correspondent and then its national affairs editor. He moved to Today magazine in 1937, but Today merged with Newsweek later in 1937, and he was therefore back at Newsweek. Barrett originated the "Periscope" feature at Newsweek.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Barrett joined the Office of the Coordinator of Information
Office of the Coordinator of Information
The Office of the Coordinator of Information was an intelligence and propaganda agency of the United States Government, founded on July 11, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, prior to U.S. involvement in the Second World War...
, which later became the Office of Strategic Services
Office of Strategic Services
The Office of Strategic Services was a United States intelligence agency formed during World War II. It was the wartime intelligence agency, and it was a predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency...
. Later in 1942, he became chief of the overseas news and features division of the Office of War Information
United States Office of War Information
The United States Office of War Information was a U.S. government agency created during World War II to consolidate government information services. It operated from June 1942 until September 1945...
. After the war, Barrett returned to Newsweek in 1946.
In 1950, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Harry S Truman named Barrett Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Public Affairs within the United States Department of State. Typically, the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs is also the official spokesperson of the State Department...
and Barrett held this office from February 16, 1950 until February 20, 1952. After his time at the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
, Barrett founded his own public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
firm, Edward W. Barrett and Associates. In 1953, he published a memoir
Memoir
A memoir , is a literary genre, forming a subclass of autobiography – although the terms 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are almost interchangeable. Memoir is autobiographical writing, but not all autobiographical writing follows the criteria for memoir set out below...
entitled Truth Is Our Weapon recounting his experiences during World War II. He joined Hill & Knowlton
Hill & Knowlton
Hill & Knowlton is a global public relations company, headquartered in New York City, United States, with 79 offices in 44 countries. Hill & Knowlton was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1927 by John W. Hill and is today led by Chairman & CEO, Paul Taaffe...
as executive vice president in 1956.
In 1956, Barrett became Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is one of Columbia's graduate and professional schools. It offers three degree programs: Master of Science in journalism , Master of Arts in journalism and a Ph.D. in communications...
, a post he would hold until 1968, when he resigned. He explained, somewhat cryptically, that his resignation had to do with the Columbia student riots of that year.
He founded the Columbia Journalism Review
Columbia Journalism Review
The Columbia Journalism Review is an American magazine for professional journalists published bimonthly by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism since 1961....
in 1961. In 1963, he published a second book, entitled Journalism in Action.
Barrett died at Greenwich Hospital
Greenwich Hospital (Connecticut)
Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut, is a community hospital serving people in lower Fairfield County and in lower Westchester County New York....
in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
on October 23, 1989 at the age of 79.