James Brady (columnist)
Encyclopedia
James Winston Brady was an American
celebrity columnist who created the Page Six gossip column in the New York Post
and W
magazine; he wrote the In Step With column in Parade
for nearly 25 years until his death. He also authored numerous books about his time serving in the United States Marine Corps
during the Korean War
.
. His career in journalism started working as a copy boy for the Daily News, where he worked while attending Manhattan College
. He left the paper to serve in the United States Marine Corps
during the Korean War
. During the war, he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
first leading a rifle platoon and later acting as an executive officer of a rifle company at one point serving under John Chafee
. The majority of his service took place in the North Korea
n Taebaek Mountains
during the fall and bitterly cold winter of 1951 and 1952. During this time he was also promoted to First Lieutenant. Brady was awarded the Bronze Star
with the Combat V
(recognizing an award resulting from combat heroism) in November 2001 for his actions on May 31, 1952 in a firefight with Chinese forces near Panmunjom.
finalist. Other books include the 2003 novel The Marine, as well as the non-fiction books The Scariest Place in the World published in 2005 and the 2007 book Why Marines Fight. Over the years, Brady spoke to groups of veterans about what he described as a "forgotten war", one where he went to Korea as an immature 23-year-old, and "Nine months later when I left, I was a grown-up and a pretty good Marine officer." Hero of the Pacific: The Life of Legendary Marine John Basilone
, about a Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor
recipient for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal, was completed days before Brady's death.
Brady also wrote novels about the fashion and media worlds that provided an insider's insights, including Paris One, Designs and The Press Lord. His second home in East Hampton, New York
, provided him a vantage point of the wealthy enclave that was the setting for a series of novels featuring the characters Beecher Stowe (who worked for Parade Magazine) and Alix Dunraven (who was a London book editor).
He was hired as publisher of Women's Wear Daily
in 1964, recrafting the publication to reach out to both the clothing industry and the general public, and creating W
, a fashion magazine aimed at the consumer spun off from WWD. He was named as editor and publisher of Harper's Bazaar
in 1971, where his efforts to aim the publication at a younger audience led to his early termination. His experiences in fashion publishing provided input for his 1974 book Superchic about the industry, described in a review in The Washington Post
as "his revenge on the fashion world, a way to settle scores with two former employers".
Clay Felker
, publisher of New York
magazine, hired Brady to create its Intelligencer column. Rupert Murdoch
hired Brady in 1974 to serve as editor of his new weekly tabloid Star
, a magazine specializing in celebrity gossip and scandals. Murdoch shifted Brady to the New York Post
after he bought the paper in 1976, where Brady was a major participant in the creation of Page Six, a celebrity news and gossip column, giving the column its name and serving as the column's first editor.
Brady added to his workload with an Advertising Age
column that was started in 1977 and another column included in Crain's New York Business when that publication was created in 1984.
He wrote the In Step With celebrity profile column in Parade
starting in 1986 and continuing until his death. His final column, a profile of actor Kevin Bacon
, appeared in the February 15, 2009 issue.
. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but Brady had suffered a stroke
several years before his death. He was survived by his wife (the former Florence Kelly, who he married in 1958), two daughters, four grandchildren and brother.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
celebrity columnist who created the Page Six gossip column in the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
and W
W (magazine)
W is a monthly American fashion magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, who purchased original owner Fairchild Publications in 1999. It was created in 1971 by the publisher of sister magazine Woman's Wear Daily, James Brady. The magazine is an oversize format – ten inches wide and...
magazine; he wrote the In Step With column in Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
for nearly 25 years until his death. He also authored numerous books about his time serving in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Early years and military service
Brady was born in Sheepshead Bay, BrooklynSheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
Sheepshead Bay is a bay separating the mainland of Brooklyn, New York City from the eastern portion of Coney Island, the latter originally a barrier island but now effectively an extension of the mainland with peninsulas both east and west...
. His career in journalism started working as a copy boy for the Daily News, where he worked while attending Manhattan College
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college in the Lasallian tradition in New York City, United States. Despite the college's name, it is no longer located in Manhattan but in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 10 miles north of Midtown. Manhattan College offers...
. He left the paper to serve in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. During the war, he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
2nd Battalion 7th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is a light infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
first leading a rifle platoon and later acting as an executive officer of a rifle company at one point serving under John Chafee
John Chafee
John Lester Hubbard Chafee was an American politician. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, as the 66th Governor of Rhode Island, as the Secretary of the Navy, and as a United States Senator.-Early life and family:...
. The majority of his service took place in the North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n Taebaek Mountains
Taebaek Mountains
The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North Korea and South Korea. They form the main ridge of the Korean peninsula.-Geography:...
during the fall and bitterly cold winter of 1951 and 1952. During this time he was also promoted to First Lieutenant. Brady was awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with the Combat V
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
(recognizing an award resulting from combat heroism) in November 2001 for his actions on May 31, 1952 in a firefight with Chinese forces near Panmunjom.
Writing career
Brady wrote extensively about his experiences as a Marine in Korea, including his 1990 autobiography, The Coldest War, which was a Pulitzer PrizePulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
finalist. Other books include the 2003 novel The Marine, as well as the non-fiction books The Scariest Place in the World published in 2005 and the 2007 book Why Marines Fight. Over the years, Brady spoke to groups of veterans about what he described as a "forgotten war", one where he went to Korea as an immature 23-year-old, and "Nine months later when I left, I was a grown-up and a pretty good Marine officer." Hero of the Pacific: The Life of Legendary Marine John Basilone
John Basilone
John Basilone was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II...
, about a Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal, was completed days before Brady's death.
Brady also wrote novels about the fashion and media worlds that provided an insider's insights, including Paris One, Designs and The Press Lord. His second home in East Hampton, New York
East Hampton (town), New York
The Town of East Hampton is located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, at the eastern end of the South Shore of Long Island. It is the easternmost town in the state of New York...
, provided him a vantage point of the wealthy enclave that was the setting for a series of novels featuring the characters Beecher Stowe (who worked for Parade Magazine) and Alix Dunraven (who was a London book editor).
He was hired as publisher of Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily is a fashion-industry trade journal sometimes called "the bible of fashion." WWD delivers information and intelligence on changing trends and breaking news in the fashion, beauty and retail industries with a readership composed largely of retailers, designers, manufacturers,...
in 1964, recrafting the publication to reach out to both the clothing industry and the general public, and creating W
W (magazine)
W is a monthly American fashion magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, who purchased original owner Fairchild Publications in 1999. It was created in 1971 by the publisher of sister magazine Woman's Wear Daily, James Brady. The magazine is an oversize format – ten inches wide and...
, a fashion magazine aimed at the consumer spun off from WWD. He was named as editor and publisher of Harper's Bazaar
Harper's Bazaar
Harper’s Bazaar is an American fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper’s Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”...
in 1971, where his efforts to aim the publication at a younger audience led to his early termination. His experiences in fashion publishing provided input for his 1974 book Superchic about the industry, described in a review in The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
as "his revenge on the fashion world, a way to settle scores with two former employers".
Clay Felker
Clay Felker
Clay Schuette Felker was an American magazine editor and journalist who founded New York Magazine in 1968. He was known for bringing large numbers of journalists into the profession...
, publisher of New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
magazine, hired Brady to create its Intelligencer column. Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
hired Brady in 1974 to serve as editor of his new weekly tabloid Star
Star (magazine)
Star is an American celebrity tabloid magazine.-History:Star was founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1974 as competition to the tabloid National Enquirer with its headquarters in New York City. In the late 1980s it moved its offices to Tarrytown, NY and in 1990 Murdoch sold the magazine to The Enquirers...
, a magazine specializing in celebrity gossip and scandals. Murdoch shifted Brady to the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
after he bought the paper in 1976, where Brady was a major participant in the creation of Page Six, a celebrity news and gossip column, giving the column its name and serving as the column's first editor.
Brady added to his workload with an Advertising Age
Advertising Age
Advertising Age is a magazine, delivering news, analysis and data on marketing and media. The magazine was started as a broadsheet newspaper in Chicago in 1930...
column that was started in 1977 and another column included in Crain's New York Business when that publication was created in 1984.
He wrote the In Step With celebrity profile column in Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
starting in 1986 and continuing until his death. His final column, a profile of actor Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Norwood Bacon is an American film and theater actor whose notable roles include Animal House, Diner, Footloose, Flatliners, Wild Things, A Few Good Men, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, The Woodsman, Trapped, Friday the 13th, Hollow Man, Tremors, Death Sentence, Frost/Nixon, Crazy, Stupid, Love....
, appeared in the February 15, 2009 issue.
Death
Brady died at age 80 on January 26, 2009 at his home in ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but Brady had suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
several years before his death. He was survived by his wife (the former Florence Kelly, who he married in 1958), two daughters, four grandchildren and brother.
Books
- James Brady, Paris One Dell (fiction); (1978) ISBN 0440168031
- James Brady, Why Marines Fight St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (2008) ISBN 978-0312384845
- James Brady, The Marine: A Novel of War from Guadalcanal to Korea St. Martin's Griffin (2004) ISBN 978-0312331054
- James Brady, The Marines of Autumn: A Novel of the Korean War St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (2001) ISBN 978-0312280819
- James Brady, The Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea St. Martin's Griffin (2000) ISBN 978-0312265113
- James Brady, Warning of War: A Novel of the North China Marines St. Martin's Griffin (2003) ISBN 978-0312303327
- James Brady, The Scariest Place in the World: A Marine Returns to North Korea St. Martin's Griffin (2006) ISBN 0312332432
- James Brady, A Hamptons Christmas St. Martin's Paperbacks (2001) ISBN 978-0312981273
- James Brady, Gin Lane St. Martin's Press (1998) ISBN 0-312-18579-0