Marvin Barrett
Encyclopedia
Marvin Galbraith Barrett (May 6, 1920 - August 19, 2006) was an American
author and educator known as an authority on broadcast journalism
.
Barrett was born in Des Moines, Iowa
. His father, Edwin, was a radio actor and taught communications at Drake University
. Barrett graduated from Harvard University
in 1942. He served in the United States Navy
from 1942 to 1946. In 1952 Barrett married Mary Ellin Berlin
, daughter of Irving Berlin
.
Barrett worked as a contributing editor to TIME
and Newsweek
magazines, executive editor of Show Business Illustrated, and managing editor of Show Magazine.
For many years, Barrett was the director of the DuPont-Columbia Survey of Broadcast Journalism. He received the Sigma Delta Chi Award
for distinguished journalism for its 1975 report Moments of Truth.
A near death experience
in 1984 inspired Barrett to keep journals, and resulted in his 1999 book Second Chance: A Life After Death.
Barrett died in Manhattan
as a result of congestive heart failure
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author and educator known as an authority on broadcast journalism
Broadcast journalism
Broadcast journalism is the field of news and journals which are "broadcast", that is, published by electrical methods, instead of the older methods, such as printed newspapers and posters. Broadcast methods include radio , television , and, especially recently, the Internet generally...
.
Barrett was born in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. His father, Edwin, was a radio actor and taught communications at Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
. Barrett graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1942. He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1942 to 1946. In 1952 Barrett married Mary Ellin Berlin
Mary Ellin Barrett
Mary Ellin Barrett, oldest daughter of composer Irving Berlin, was born on November 25, 1926. She grew up in New York City, where she attended the Brearley School. She then went to Barnard College, majoring in music. After graduation, she began to work for Time Magazine, where she met her future...
, daughter of Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
.
Barrett worked as a contributing editor to TIME
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
and 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...
magazines, executive editor of Show Business Illustrated, and managing editor of Show Magazine.
For many years, Barrett was the director of the DuPont-Columbia Survey of Broadcast Journalism. He received the Sigma Delta Chi Award
Sigma Delta Chi Award
The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are presented annually by the Society of Professional Journalists for excellence in journalism.- History :The Awards, according to the SPJ, did not begin in 1932 when the society chose six individuals for their contributions to journalism. In 1939 the awards program began...
for distinguished journalism for its 1975 report Moments of Truth.
A near death experience
Near death experience
A near-death experience refers to a broad range of personal experiences associated with impending death, encompassing multiple possible sensations including detachment from the body; feelings of levitation; extreme fear; total serenity, security, or warmth; the experience of absolute dissolution;...
in 1984 inspired Barrett to keep journals, and resulted in his 1999 book Second Chance: A Life After Death.
Barrett died in Manhattan
Manhattan
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...
as a result of congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
.