Authors & Journalists
Popular and forgotten authors & journalists who made their reputation from their words rather then their faces.
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Journalism has been defined as "writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation." An author, however, has freer rein - often weaving a story, truth based or not, with the intent to inform and/or entertain. In the past, a journalist was expected to tell the truth, based on facts, and newspapers were the primary outlet of their efforts. Authors wrote books or plays or poems, creating new worlds that showed us more, through their words, about the world around us or times and places from their imaginations.
Historically, writing has been a pathway to fame for many. In his day, Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) was England's most popular writer. He began with serialized stories in newspapers and dabbled in political journalism, moving on to write novels based on the world around him. Journalism has had it's rewards as well. Nelly Bly (the pen name of Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, 1864 - 1922) pioneered investigative journalism. She was a celebrated figure of her own time. George Sand (the pen name of author Amantine Lucile Dupin, 1804 - 1876 - women weren't allowed to publish in her time so she chose a man's name) was a celebrated French novelist. And who can forget Mark Twain (pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, 1835 -1910) who made us laugh and think? Often, journalists and authors have been more well-known than actors, musicians, or singers.
Discover photos of authors and journalists you may or may have not known from the past. Many are still being read today, centuries later.
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A photo of author Jack Kerouac whose most notable book is On the Road (1957).
People in this photo:
Mar 12, 1922 - Oct 21, 1969
Added
Oct 5, 2016 by: Kathy Pinna
Kathy Pinna
26.9k+ favorites
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A photo of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
People in this photo:
Jan 3, 1892 - Sep 2, 1973
Added
Oct 5, 2016 by: Kathy Pinna
Kathy Pinna
26.9k+ favorites
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This photo of Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby) was taken in the 1960's. She was born Pauline Esther Phillips (her twin was "Ann Landers") in 1918 in Iowa and began her "Dear Abby" column in 1956 at the age of 37 in San Francisco California.
A strong woman, she called the San Francisco Chronicle and told them that she could write a better advice column than they were running at the time. She was right - they hired her and she wrote her column for decades, eventually being syndicated in hundreds of newspapers.
She died on January 16, 2013 at the age of 94 of Alzheimers but I certainly remember beginning every day when I was a child by first reading "Dear Abby" in my parents' newspaper.
People in this photo:
Jul 4, 1918 - Jan 16, 2013
Added
Jan 17, 2013 by: Kathy Pinna
Kathy Pinna
3.04k+ favorites
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Image of the 1902 Nobel Laureate in literature Christian Mommsen. Christian Mommsen (1817-1903) lived in Germany and is attributed as being one of the greatest living masters of the art of historical writing.
People in this photo:
Unknown - Unknown
Added
Jan 16, 2012 by: Ancient Faces
Ancient Faces
446 favorites
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A photo of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain), circa 1900
People in this photo:
Nov 30, 1835 - Apr 21, 1910
Added
Jan 11, 2012 by: Ancient Faces
Ancient Faces
446 favorites
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A photo of Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811 - 1896.
People in this photo:
1811 - 1896
Added
Dec 25, 2011 by: Ancient Faces
Ancient Faces
446 favorites
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A portrait of Walt Whitman in 1887. Whitman was born in 1819 and died in 1902. You can see other pictures of him on AncientFaces but this photo reminds me of Santa Claus!
Walt Whitman was a famous American poet and journalist, perhaps best known for his poetry collection "Leaves of Grass."
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, George C. Cox
People in this photo:
1819 - 1892
Added
Dec 17, 2011 by: Kathy Pinna
Kathy Pinna
3.04k+ favorites
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Gene Roddenberry in a 1961 advertisement for Mutual of New York published in Look magazine.
People in this photo:
Aug 19, 1921 - Oct 24, 1991
Added
Sep 8, 2020 by: Daniel Pinna
Daniel Pinna
6.25k+ favorites
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Franklin High School senior yearbook photo of Gene Roddenberry
People in this photo:
Aug 19, 1921 - Oct 24, 1991
Added
Sep 8, 2020 by: Daniel Pinna
Daniel Pinna
6.25k+ favorites
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This is a photo of Terrence McNally added by Amanda S. Stevenson on March 24, 2020. Chita Rivera, Terrence McNally and Joan Rivers. I've met all of them.
People in this photo:
Nov 3, 1938 - Mar 24, 2020
Added
Mar 24, 2020 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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This is a photo of Archibald Joseph Cronin added by Amanda S. Stevenson on February 23, 2020.
People in this photo:
1896 - Jan 6, 1981
Added
Feb 23, 2020 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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Portrait of Lewis Carroll at age 23. While best known for writing Alice in Wonderland, Lewis held numerous roles including author, photographer, illustrator, poet, mathematician and teacher.
While not a self-portrait by today's standards, this is considered a self portrait of himself which first appeared in the 1898 biography 'The Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll'.
People in this photo:
Jan 27, 1832 - Jan 14, 1898
Added
Jan 20, 2020 by: Daniel Pinna
Daniel Pinna
6.25k+ favorites
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A photo of William Saroyan
People in this photo:
Aug 31, 1908 - May 18, 1981
Added
Dec 27, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Henrik Johan Ibsen
People in this photo:
Mar 20, 1828 - May 23, 1906
Added
Dec 16, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Daphne Du Maurier
People in this photo:
May 13, 1907 - Apr 19, 1989
Added
Oct 14, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Daphne Du Maurier
People in this photo:
May 13, 1907 - Apr 19, 1989
Added
Oct 14, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Kahlil Gibran
People in this photo:
Jan 6, 1883 - Apr 10, 1931
Added
Oct 8, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of John Vredenburgh Van Pelt
People in this photo:
Feb 24, 1874 - May 30, 1962
Added
Oct 6, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Pearl S. Buck. Buck was born in West Virginia. Named Comfort by her parents, Absalom Sydenstricker and Caroline Maude (Stulting), she was later known as "Pearl" and when she married John Lossing Buck , by Pearl S. Buck. Her Chinese name was Sai Zhenzhu.
Her parents were Southern Presbyterian missionaries who had previously live in China and they returned with her when she was 3 months old. She grew up there and lived in China, on and off, for many years as an adult.
She was a prolific author and a teacher.
People in this photo:
Jun 26, 1892 - Mar 6, 1973
Added
Sep 19, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Ernest Miller Hemingway
People in this photo:
Jul 21, 1899 - Jul 2, 1961
Added
Jul 23, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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Added
Apr 23, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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Added
Apr 21, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Joyce Brothers
People in this photo:
Oct 20, 1927 - May 13, 2013
Added
Apr 8, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.
People in this photo:
May 7, 1927 - Apr 3, 2013
Added
Apr 7, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Erasmus Wilson
People in this photo:
Jun 10, 1842 - Jan 14, 1922
Added
Mar 1, 2019 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of a Punch Magazine cartoon for New Years Day, 1919.
Following the end of WW1 in November 1918, Punch Magazine shows that the task for 1919 was repairing global alliances.
Added
Dec 31, 2018 by: Kathy Pinna
Kathy Pinna
26.9k+ favorites
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A photo of Cincinnatus Heine "Joaquin" Miller
People in this photo:
Sep 8, 1837 - Feb 17, 1913
Added
Dec 7, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Walter Cade III's sister Toni Cade Bambara.
People in this photo:
Mar 25, 1939 - Dec 9, 1995
Added
Oct 20, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Samuel "Mark Twain" Langhorne Clemens
People in this photo:
Nov 30, 1835 - Apr 21, 1910
Added
Oct 9, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of writer Neil Simon. Born in The Bronx in 1927, he was a playwright, author, and screenwriter. Beginning with writing for early comedy tv shows, he went on to be a prolific and succesful comedy writer for stage, movies, and television. From "Come Blow Your Horn" to "Barefoot in the Park" to "The Odd Couple" - and numerous others - his style entertained generations.
Growing up during the Depression in an emotionally unstable household, Simon turned to movies (and comedy) for relief during his childhood. He said that this inspired him to turn to writing comedy as an adult.
He was born to Jewish parents and had one brother who was 8 years older. He was married 5 times (to 4 women) and had 3 children. And he left us with a wonderful body of work.
People in this photo:
Jul 4, 1927 - Aug 26, 2018
Added
Aug 26, 2018 by: Kathy Pinna
Kathy Pinna
3.04k+ favorites
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A photo of Earl Wilson, author and columnist
People in this photo:
May 3, 1907 - Jan 16, 1987
Added
Jun 2, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Sheilah Graham's great love: F. Scott Fitzgerald
People in this photo:
Sep 24, 1896 - Dec 21, 1940
Added
May 24, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Elizabeth "Nellie Bly" Jane (Cochran) Seaman
People in this photo:
May 5, 1864 - Jan 27, 1922
Added
May 14, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Cornelia Otis Skinner
People in this photo:
May 30, 1899 - Jul 9, 1979
Added
May 6, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams Iii
People in this photo:
Mar 26, 1911 - Feb 25, 1983
Added
Apr 29, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams Iii
People in this photo:
Mar 26, 1911 - Feb 25, 1983
Added
Apr 29, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Ivan T. Sanderson
People in this photo:
Jan 30, 1911 - Feb 19, 1973
Added
Feb 9, 2018 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Sarah Petrusky who was a brilliant poet.
People in this photo:
Mar 11, 1912 - Apr 13, 2008
Added
Nov 9, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Samuel Marx author
People in this photo:
Jan 26, 1902 - Mar 2, 1992
Added
Oct 10, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Moss Hart standing and George Kaufman sitting, playwrights.
People in this photo:
Oct 24, 1904 - Dec 20, 1961
Added
Sep 5, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Moss Hart on right and George Kaufman on left - FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHTS
People in this photo:
Oct 24, 1904 - Dec 20, 1961
Added
Sep 5, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) artist, poet and writer was born 'Khalil Gibran' in Bsharri, Lebanon to Khalil Gibran and Kamila Rahmeh. The family emigrated to America in 1895. Gibran is chiefly known for his inspirational book 'The Prophet' first published in 1923. He died in New York City 1931 aged 48.
Written next to Gibran's grave in Lebanon are the words "I am alive like you, and I am standing beside you. Close your eyes and look around, you will see me in front of you."
Photographer - F. Holland Day
Norwood, Massachusetts 1896
People in this photo:
Jan 6, 1883 - Apr 10, 1931
Added
Aug 24, 2017 by: Anjel Candy
Anjel Candy
217 favorites
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A photo of Elizabeth "Nellie Bly" Jane (Cochran) Seaman
People in this photo:
May 5, 1864 - Jan 27, 1922
Added
Aug 17, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Elizabeth "Nellie Bly" Jane (Cochran) Seaman
People in this photo:
May 5, 1864 - Jan 27, 1922
Added
Aug 17, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of Elizabeth "Nellie Bly" Jane (Cochran) Seaman
People in this photo:
May 5, 1864 - Jan 27, 1922
Added
Aug 17, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
A photo of ILKA CHASE, BEST SELLING AUTHOR.
People in this photo:
Apr 8, 1905 - Feb 15, 1978
Added
Jul 26, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
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A photo of Henry Fairfield Osborn, Jr who wanted to be known as Fairfield Osborn and NOT Jr.
People in this photo:
Jan 15, 1887 - September 1969
Added
Jul 19, 2017 by: Amanda S. Stevenson
Amanda S. Stevenson
11.4k+ favorites
Topics:
