Theodore H. White

Theodore H. White (1915–1986) was a prominent American journalist and author, best known for pioneering the modern style of campaign journalism through his influential book series The Making of the President. Born in Boston, White attended Harvard University, where he studied under influential historian and journalist John K. Fairbank, which sparked his interest in China. After graduating, White worked as a foreign correspondent in China during World War II, where he reported on the Chinese resistance to Japanese occupation.

White gained widespread recognition with his Making of the President series, beginning with the 1960 election, which provided an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. presidential campaigns. His work revolutionized political reporting, blending narrative storytelling with rigorous analysis. The first book in the series won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1962.

Throughout his career, White was celebrated for his ability to humanize politics and make complex events accessible to the public. He authored several other books and continued to influence journalism until his death in 1986. His legacy endures in the field of political reporting, where his narrative style remains a standard.