Origins & Early Life

William Lawrence Shirer (; February 23, 1904 – December 28, 1993) was an American journalist, war correspondent, and historian. His history of Nazi Germany, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1960), has been read and cited in scholarly works for more than 60 years; its 50th anniversary was marked by a new edition of the book. As a young man just out of college, in 1925 Shirer was hired by the Chicago Tribune and later worked for the International News Service; he was the first reporter hired by Edward R. Murrow for what became a CBS radio team of journalists known as "Murrow's Boys".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He became well known for his broadcasts from Berlin, from the rise of the Nazi dictatorship through the first year of World War II. Together with Murrow, on Sunday, March 13, 1938, he organized the first broadcast world news roundup, a format still followed by news broadcasts. Shirer published 14 books besides The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, including Berlin Diary (published in 1941), The Collapse of the Third Republic (1969), several novels, and a three-volume autobiography, 20th Century Journey (1976 to 1990). Shirer was born in Chicago in 1904. His father, a lawyer, died...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alejo Carpentier — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): Influential Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist of the Latin American Boom.
• Alice Rahon — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): French-born Mexican poet and painter whose work bridged surrealism and abstraction.
• Ancel Keys — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): Pioneering physiologist who studied diet's influence on health, notably fat replacement.
• Adam Ondra — Contemporary (Born in 1993) (1993): Czech professional rock climber, specializing in lead, bouldering, and competition.
• Agnes de Mille — Contemporary (Died in 1993) (1993): Pioneering American choreographer known for blending ballet with modern dance.
• Ajahn Buddhadasa — Contemporary (Died in 1993) (1993): Pioneering Thai Buddhist monk known for reinterpreting doctrine and fostering religious reformation.
• Albrecht von Roon — Shared historical date (02-23 · Died) (1879): Prussian general and statesman instrumental in German unification under Prussian leadership.
• Alexander Yegorov (general) — Shared historical date (02-23 · Died) (1939): Soviet military leader and one of the original Marshals of the Soviet Union.
• Amos Oz — Shared historical date (12-28 · Died) (2018): Pioneering Israeli novelist, journalist, and intellectual whose works explored Palestinian life.
• Ante Pavelić — Shared historical date (12-28 · Died) (1959): Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• 1904 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1904
• February 23 (02-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 23
• 1993 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1993
• December 28 (12-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 28