Roland Herbert Shackford

Background

Roland Shackford was born on March 13, 1908 in Westbrook, Minnesota, United States.

Education

Shackford graduated from Antioch College in Yellow Springs in 1931.

Career

Shackford joined United Press Associations (now United Press International) as a correspondent in 1935 and became a diplomatic correspondent in 1943. From 1948 to 1952 he served as a general European news manager in London, then joined Scripps-Howard Newspapers (now E. W. Scripps Company) as a foreign news analyst with stints in London, Washington, and Asia, among others. In 1973 Roland became a senior fellow with the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.

During his career, Shackford was regarded for his understanding of the political climate in communist countries. He wrote a column called "Report on Red China" in the 1960s, and his coverage of President Richard M. Nixon's visit to China was included in a book. His volume, The Truth about Soviet Lies, appeared in 1962.

Achievements

• Roland Herbert Shackford won various awards, including the Headliners Award, the William the Silent Journalistic Award, and the Lawrence S. Mayers Peace Award.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Truth about Soviet Lies 1962

Views

In addition to Nixon's historic trip to China, Shackford covered such major events as the Berlin blockade, post-World War II diplomatic conferences, the creation of NATO and the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, and the birth of the United Nations.

Personality

Physical Characteristics: Roland Herbert Shackford died of pneumonia.

Quotes from others about the person

• Dan Thomasson: "He was the eyes and ears of Scripps-Howard on the foreign beat for more than 20 years. Shack covered events that changed the course of history and world leaders such as Winston Churchill, Nehru and Chiang Kai-shek."

Connections

Shackford married Augusta McMurray in 1936. They had a daughter - Kristin Ruckdeschel and two sons - John Shackford and James Shackford.

late spouse:

Augusta McMurray

(1910 - 1997)

Daughter:

Kristin Ruckdeschel

Son:

John Shackford

Son:

James Shackford