Walter Winchell (April 7, 1897 – February 20, 1972) was an American newspaper and radio commentator. He invented the "gossip column", ignoring the journalistic taboo against exposing the private lives of public figures, permanently altering journalism.
At a press conference during World War III, Walter Winchell asked PresidentHarry Truman if there would be anything left of the United States or the world by the war's end. Truman replied that he hoped and prayed that there would, but that the decision was also partially up to Joseph Stalin.[1]
In 1935, when PresidentJoe Steele was pushing for legislation for the establishment of labor camps in the United States, journalist Mike Sullivan published an article in the New York Post entitled "Land of the Free and Home of the Labor Camp!" in the hopes that someone like Will Rogers or Walter Winchell would pick up the piece and create public opposition to the bill. Stan Feldman, his editor, was skeptical about public outrage, quoting H.L. Mencken about underestimating the public's intelligence.[2]
Walter Winchell was an American newspaper and radio commentator. In 1944, Winchell interviewed Cassius Madison when Madison toured the United States. Madison could barely understand Winchell's New York accent.[3]
1=denotes a character who was a POV for one volume or less
2=denotes a character who was a POV for two volumes
3=denotes a character who was a POV for three volumes
† Denotes a deceased POV.
