St. Louis Print Hall of Fame 2010 inductee biographies
Paul Anderson
Paul Y. Anderson began his work in St. Louis as a reporter for the Post-Dispatch in 1914 and won a Pulitzer in 1929 for his stories on the Teapot Dome scandal of the Harding administration. Early in his career, Anderson received a commendation from Congress for his stories on race riots in St. Louis. He went to work for the Star-Times in 1937, where he was assigned to the Washington bureau. Although haunted by his own inner demons, Anderson became known during his short career as one of the greatest crusading reporters of his generation.
Ray Hartmann
Although his first job out of college was working as a newspaper reporter in New York, Ray Hartmann hit his stride after returning to St. Louis. In 1977, at the age of 24, he founded Hartmann Publishing and its initial publication, Profile St. Louis. Within months, that paper was dropped and the Riverfront Times was born. Under his ownership, the RFT became one of the ten-largest alternative newsweeklies in the nation, and it was twice named Missouri’s top news weekly. He sold the paper and bought St. Louis Magazine, where he served as CEO. Ray was showered with local and national honors, and he is also a popular member of the weekly panel on “Donnybrook” on KETC-TV.
Carlos Hurd
After two years at the St. Louis Star, Carlos Hurd worked for the Post-Dispatch for more than 50 years, but he is most widely known for his firsthand reports of the race riots in East St. Louis and the sinking of the Titanic, the latter of which accounted for his lifelong nickname, “Titanic Man.” As a passenger on the first ship to reach the Titanic, Hurd literally wrote his account on a roll of toilet paper. His graphic writing style conveyed the horror of both events, transporting the readers to the scene.
Eric Mink
St. Louis-born Eric Mink began his print career at “Midwest Motorist” magazine in 1973. He joined the Post-Dispatch in 1977, becoming its TV critic in 1979. He also wrote freelance pieces for Atlantic Monthly, TV Guide and the Washington Journalism Review and appeared on various national TV news programs. In the 1980s, he appeared regularly on local radio and on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” In 1993, he became TV critic for the New York Daily News. During his 10 years there, Mink often appeared as a media analyst on NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Nightline” and “Good Morning America,” PBS’ “McNeil/Lehrer News Hour” and on CNN, Court TV, CNBC and MSNBC. Returning to St. Louis in 2003, Mink edited the Post’s op-ed page and wrote an op-ed column. He was interim editor of the editorial page for eight months in 2007. In 2009, Mink left the paper and began teaching film studies at Webster University and offering writing and editing services to freelance clients.
Joseph Pulitzer Jr.
In preparation for the familial succession in the editor’s position at the Post-Dispatch, Joseph Pulitzer III, known as “Joseph Pulitzer Jr.,” worked in every department of the paper’s news operation. As editor of the paper from 1955 to 1986 and chairman of Pulitzer Publishing until his death in 1993, he continued the Post’s crusading tradition by coming out early against the Vietnam War and making the decision to publish the Pentagon Papers. Joseph Jr. was chairman for 31 years of the board that awarded Pulitzer Prizes. Upon retirement from the position, Pulitzer was honored by the board for his “extraordinary services to American journalism and letters.”
Mark Vittert
While Mark Vittert would never lay claim to being a working journalist, his influence on St. Louis media is legendary. Less than two years out of college, he sold his marketing company to Playboy Enterprises. When he got to St. Louis in 1977, he became an investor in Hartmann Publishing, owner of the Riverfront Times. A silent partner, Vittert provided the much-needed capital for the paper. Within two years, he was financing another weekly, teaming with two other men to give birth to the St. Louis Business Journal. Both papers became very successful and were ultimately sold to national chains.
Through his financial backing and business guidance, Vittert created two of the market’s most successful specialty newspapers. Later, Vittert became co-owner of St. Louis Magazine. He also spent about 15 years as a member of the esteemed panel on KETC-TV’s “Donnybrook” program.
Murat Bernard “Chic” Young
Murat Bernard “Chic” Young graduated from McKinley High School after serving on the yearbook staff for four years, but he had to go to New York to find his fame. After working as a $22-a-week bullpen artist, he ended up at King Features, where Young eventually created the Blondie cartoon strip on Sept. 8, 1930. The comic strip is now syndicated in 55 countries. Although he once referred to Blondie as “just a comic strip,” Young’s creation had an effect on society, with a radio show and movie later based on the strip. The strip even contributed to culinary history with the creation of the Dagwood sandwich.