Russell Baker, the Pulitzer Prize winning writer who penned thousands of columns for The New York Times, and hosted the PBS television program “Masterpiece Theatre,” died Monday at his home in Leesburg, Va. He was 93.
Baker got his start as a news reporter with the Baltimore Sun, but became known for his “Observer” column in the Times, where he commented on modern life with unmistakable whimsy. Though often pegged to the specifics of the time, many of his observations are just as relevant today as they were when published decades ago. A family member tells NPR that Baker was “a beautiful man.”
“We couldn’t have asked for a better father,” said his son, Allen Baker, according to the Baltimore Sun. “He was a tender and loving man to his family. … He was just a Regular Joe with an extraordinary job.” His son says Baker died after complications from a fall.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
