David Brinkley

Longtime news anchor for NBC and ABC; famous for the Huntley-Brinkley Report and This Week

What is David Brinkley known for?

David McClure Brinkley, born on July 10, 1920, in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a symbolic figure in the field of journalism. A product of New Hanover High School, Brinkley shared his gift of storytelling and investigation with the wider world, becoming a beloved newscaster for notable networks such as NBC and ABC. While still a student at New Hanover High, he started writing for the Wilmington Morning Star, a local newspaper.

His career spanned from 1943 to 1997, during which time he hosted NBC's leading nightly news program, The Huntley–Brinkley Report, from 1956 to 1970. Later in his career during the 1980s and 1990s, he served as host of the popular Sunday program, This Week with David Brinkley, and offered critical commentary for ABC News' election-night coverage.

Brinkley's exceptional storytelling skills and thorough reporting earned him ten Emmy Awards, three George Foster Peabody Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. Beyond his broadcast career, Brinkley was a successful author, publishing three books including the 1988 bestseller "Washington Goes to War", a riveting account of how World War II transformed the nation's capital.

David Brinkley passed away on June 11, 2003, in Houston, Texas. His work remains, immortalized in the annals of American journalism. The youngest of five children, he wrote his own story, one of tenacity and intellect, and made an indelible mark on the profession he came to love and master.

For those looking to learn more about Brinkley's life and contributions, his biography is a great place to start. Additionally, for the readers keen on understanding more about his home town, you can visit this detailed page about Wilmington, North Carolina.