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Joseph J. Mathews

Author

The Father of War Correspondents

Winter 1945 | Essays

War correspondents have never evidenced much interest in their paternity, but at least they have entertained no doubts as to the parent's identity. Sir William Howard Russell, by universal agreement, is accorded the title "Father of War Correspondents." Sir William himself seems to have viewed the relationship with some misgivings, though he made no attempt to deny it. "The miserable parent of a luckless tribe," was his favorite description of the. role which fate cast upon him.