John O'Donnell (political journalist)

John O'Donnell
Born John Parsons O'Donnell
(1896-07-23)July 23, 1896
Somerville, Massachusetts
Died December 17, 1961(1961-12-17) (aged 65)
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Nationality American
Occupation Journalist
Spouse(s) Doris Fleeson (1930-1942)
Children Doris O'Donnell

John Parsons O'Donnell (July 23, 1896 in Somerville, Massachusetts–December 17, 1961 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.) was an American political journalist and analyst known for working for the New York Daily News.

Early life and education

The son of a doctor, O'Donnell graduated from Tufts College in 1920 with a B.A. degree. He then did graduate work at Harvard University and Dijon University.[1]

Career

O'Donnell served as an infantry lieutenant in World War I.[1] In 1923, he became a reporter and assistant city editor at the New York American, a post he held until 1927, when he joined the New York Daily News. After others noticed his knack for political journalism, he was assigned to report on Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1932 presidential inauguration. In 1939, after World War II broke out, he became a correspondent for the Daily News; in this capacity he spent time with the British military's forces on the Maginot line in France.[1] In 1942, then-President Roosevelt gave an Iron Cross to Earl Godwin, whereupon he asked that it be given to O'Donnell. Roosevelt cited O'Donnell's reporting on former White House correspondent George Durno as the reason for this gesture, which was criticized by the Chicago Tribune as a "new low in vilification".[2]

Personal life

In 1930, O’Donnell married fellow journalist Doris Fleeson; their daughter, Doris, was born two years later. O'Donnell and Fleeson divorced in 1942, after their political views had begun to diverge.[3] During his marriage to Fleeson, he worked with her on a column called "Capital Stuff".[4] He died on December 17, 1961 at Georgetown University Hospital.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Retired N.Y. News Chief in Capital Dies". Chicago Tribune. 18 December 1961. p. 11. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  2. ↑ Adams, Phelps (20 December 1942). "F.D.R. Outburst Called New Low in Vilification". Chicago Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Doris Fleeson, Columnist, Dies; Winner of Journalism Honors". The New York Times. 2 August 1970. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Boylan, James (July 2010). "Brief Encounters". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
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