Origins & Early Life

Louis "Studs" Terkel (May 16, 1912 – October 31, 2008) was an American writer, historian, actor, and broadcaster. He received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1985 for The Good War and is best remembered for his oral histories of common Americans, and for hosting a long-running radio show in Chicago. Terkel was born to Russian Jewish immigrants, Samuel Terkel, a tailor, and Anna (Annie) Finkel, a seamstress, in New York City. At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois, where he spent most of his life.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He had two brothers, Meyer (1905–1958) and Ben (1907–1965). He attended McKinley High School. From 1926 to 1936, his parents ran a rooming house called the Wells-Grand Hotel that also served as a meeting place for people from all walks of life. Terkel credited his understanding of humanity and social interaction to the tenants and visitors who gathered in the lobby there and the people who congregated in nearby Bughouse Square. In 1939, he married Ida Goldberg (1912–1999), and the couple had one son.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Although he received his undergraduate degree in 1932 and a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago in 1934 (and was admitted to the...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. van Vogt — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Alan Turing — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Father of theoretical computer science, known for the Turing machine and codebreaking.
• Alfredo Stroessner — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Paraguayan military dictator who ruled from 1954 to 1989, known for repression.
• Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn — Contemporary (Died in 2008) (2008): Dissident author who exposed Soviet repression, notably the Gulag system.
• Arthur C. Clarke — Contemporary (Died in 2008) (2008): Pioneering science fiction writer, futurist, and popularizer of space travel.
• Bo Diddley — Contemporary (Died in 2008) (2008): Pioneering blues guitarist whose signature rhythm influenced rock, pop, and hip-hop.
• Andy Kaufman — Shared historical date (05-16 · Died) (1984): Pioneering performance artist known for anti-comedy and character work.
• Bronisław Malinowski — Shared historical date (05-16 · Died) (1942): Pioneering anthropologist known for intensive fieldwork and functionalist theory.
• Alexander Borodin — Shared historical date (10-31 · Born) (1833): Russian Romantic composer, chemist, and physician known for 'Prince Igor' and symphonies.
• Avi Shlaim — Shared historical date (10-31 · Born) (1945): Israeli-British historian known for critical interpretations of Zionism and Israeli history.
• 1912 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1912
• May 16 (05-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 16
• 2008 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2008
• October 31 (10-31) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 31