Martha Gellhorn
Biography
Martha Gellhorn, an esteemed American journalist and author, was born on November 8, 1908, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of a successful doctor and a suffragette mother, who instilled in her a passion for justice and equality from a young age.
Gellhorn attended Bryn Mawr College and later enrolled at John Hopkins University, where she studied journalism. She embarked on her career in the early 1930s, working as a correspondent for various publications, including The New Republic and Collier's Weekly.
One of Gellhorn's most notable accomplishments was her reporting on war zones. She covered virtually every major conflict during her career, including the Spanish Civil War, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Her firsthand and poignant accounts brought the harsh realities of war to the forefront, earning her a reputation as one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century.
During World War II, Gellhorn became the only woman to land in Normandy on D-Day, a testament to her courage and determination. She famously stowed away on a hospital ship in order to witness and report on the Allied landings firsthand, providing a unique perspective on the monumental event.
Apart from her journalistic endeavors, Gellhorn was also a prolific author. She penned several novels, short stories, and essays that explored themes of war, love, and societal issues. Her writing was characterized by its sharp wit, keen observation, and unwavering dedication to truth.
Gellhorn's personal life was as colorful as her professional one. She was married to famed American novelist Ernest Hemingway for five years, during which they both worked as war correspondents. Despite the tumultuous nature of their relationship, Gellhorn remained fiercely independent and dedicated to her craft.
Throughout her career, Gellhorn received numerous accolades for her work, including the U.S. Medal of Freedom and induction into the Hall of Fame of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Her legacy as a trailblazing female journalist continues to inspire aspiring writers and reporters around the world.
Martha Gellhorn passed away on February 15, 1998, leaving behind a body of work that remains as relevant and impactful today as it was during her lifetime. Her fearless reporting, unwavering integrity, and unyielding commitment to truth have established her as a true icon of journalism and a beacon of hope for future generations of women in the field.
Quotes
- I know enough to know that no woman should ever marry a man who hated his mother.
- Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It's great. I feel like a fine old car with the parts gradually wearing out, but I'm not complaining,... Those who find growing old terrible are people who haven't done what they wanted with their lives.
- After the desperate years of their own war, after six years of repression inside Spain and six years of horror in exile, these people remain intact in spirit. They are armed with a transcendent faith they have never won, and yet they have never accepted defeat.