David McCullough - Author, Career and Life

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David McCullough, known as the ‘master of the art of narrative history’, is an American author, narrator, historian and lecturer

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Who is David McCullough?

David Gaub McCullough, known as the ‘master of the art of narrative history’, is an American writer, narrator, historian and lecturer. For his matchless historical writing he has won prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. His contribution to the field of American history, whether about the Johnstown Flood or the creation of Panama Canal or on the life of Theodore Roosevelt or on the contributions of the second President of America John Adams, has been bigger than any other historical writer, which is why he is the receiver of America’s highest civilian award, namely, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Many of McCullough’s writings have been adapted into television movies or miniseries by HBO, like, ‘Truman’, ‘John Adams’, etc. Because of his impeccable knowledge of American history and hold over his narrative skills, he has narrated many documentaries and had been a host on the ‘American Experience’ for over 12 years. What started for him as a literary interest at Yale was soon converted into a love for research and a passion to spread the details of American history all over the world, bound together with his literary and writing skills.

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David McCullough biography timelines

• // 7th Jul 1933
  David McCullough was born in Pennsylvania to Ruth and Christian Hax McCullough. He was one of the four sons and describes his childhood as fulfilling and happy. He was educated in Pennsylvania at Linden Avenue Grade School and Shady Side Academy.
• // 1951
  McCullough attended the Yale University in 1951 to study English literature, which he considered to be a privilege in his life as he met with many known literary figures like John O’Hara, Thornton Wilder, Robert Penn Warren, etc. there.
• // 1953
  Right after completing his graduation in 1955, McCullough found himself working as a trainee at ‘Sports Illustrated’ in the New York City. After gaining some experience there, he worked as an editor and writer for the United States Information Agency.
• // 1968
  He worked in the field of writing and editing for the next 12 years and while working in ‘American Heritage’ he wrote ‘The Johstown Flood’ in 1968, a chronicle of one of the most disastrous floods in the US history.
• // 1972
  McCullough decided to become a fulltime writer and was offered to write books on San Francisco earthquake and Great Chicago Fire but instead he decided to write on the history of Brooklyn Bridge - ‘The Great Bridge’ in 1972.
• // 1977
  In 1977, he released his book ‘The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal’. It won the National Book Award in History, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award and the Cornelius Ryan Award.
• // 1981
  His fourth book ‘Mornings on Horseback’, which was written on the life of Theodore Roosevelt was released in 1981 It won the National Book Award, Los Angeles Times Prize for Biography and New York Public Library Literary Lion Award.
• // 1991
  In 1991, his book ‘Brave Companions: Portraits in History’, a compilation of essays that he wrote over the period of 20 years, essays about Louis Agassiz, Alexander von Humboldt, Frederic Remington, etc.
• // 1993
  He published his second biography titled ‘Truman’ in 1993. The book got him the first Pulitzer Prize of his life. It also got him The Colonial Dames of America Annual Book Award and ‘Truman’ was adapted into a telefilm by HBO.
• // 2002
  Encouraged by his Pulitzer Prize, McCullough wrote another biography on the Founding Father and the second US President, ‘John Adams’ in 2002. He received second Pulitzer Prize for the book and it was also adapted in to TV miniseries by HBO.
• // 2005
  With the success of ‘John Adams’, he wrote a companion piece to it under the title ‘1776’ in 2005, mostly concentrating on the events that started the American Revolution. It became the number one bestseller in the US.
• // 2011
  While McCullough was considering writing a sequel to ‘1776’, he signed a contract with Simon & Schuster and published ‘The Greater Journey’ in 2011. The book is about the great Americans who went on the journey to Paris.

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David McCullough's FAQ

• What is David McCullough birthday?

  David McCullough was born at 1933-07-07

• Where is David McCullough's birth place?

  David McCullough was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

• What is David McCullough nationalities?

  David McCullough's nationalities is American

• Who is David McCullough spouses?

  David McCullough's spouses is Rosalee Ingram Barnes (m. 1954)

• Who is David McCullough childrens?

  David McCullough's childrens is David McCullough Jr.

• What was David McCullough universities?

  David McCullough studied at Yale University, Yale University, Shady Side Academy

• What was David McCullough notable alumnis?

  David McCullough's notable alumnis is Yale University

• Who is David McCullough's father?

  David McCullough's father is Christian Hax McCullough

• Who is David McCullough's mother?

  David McCullough's mother is Ruth McCullough

• What is David McCullough's sun sign?

  David McCullough is Cancer

• How famous is David McCullough?

  David McCullough is famouse as Author, Historian