Famous Newspaper Columnists - List of Famous Newspaper Columnists

Newspaper columnists write the columns that appear in newspapers. A column is a recurring piece of writing that contains a commentary, opinion or point of view of the author. Columns add character to a particular publication like newspapers or magazine, and there are readers who prefer a certain newspaper mainly because of the columns that appear there. There are specific columnists who write on certain topics like travel, health and wellness, spirituality, relationships, food and drinks, etc. Columns may appear daily or on a weekly basis, and a columnist may write exclusively for one newspaper at a time, or have his columns published in several newspapers simultaneously. Unlike news stories and reports that are meant to be objective and unbiased, columns carry the personal opinions of the writers which impart to them a unique characteristic. Columnists have to be aware of the current trends in their respective fields, and should constantly be on the lookout for topics of interest to the readers. They have to research and gather information on relevant issues and give their own commentary or interpretation. Browse through these biographies and timelines to know about the life and works of various famous newspaper columnists from all over the world.

The Most Famous Newspaper Columnists

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Anna Roosevelt HalstedMay 3, 1906AmericanAnna Roosevelt Halsted was a distinguished American writer and the oldest daughter of U.S
P. J. O'RourkeNovember 14, 1947AmericanP
Robert BenchleyOctober 15, 1889AmericanRobert Benchley was a writer and actor famous for his humor which influenced generations of humorists to come
Rush LimbaughJanuary 12, 1951AmericanRush Limbaugh is an American radio talk show host, political commentator and author
Margaret HooverDecember 11, 1977AmericanMargaret Hoover is a well-known American political commentator and media personality
H. L. MenckenSeptember 12, 1880AmericanH
Thomas FriedmanJuly 20, 1953AmericanThomas Friedman is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist, columnist and writer
David BrooksAugust 11, 1961Canadian, AmericanDavid Brooks is a Canadian born American journalist, social analyst and leading political commentator
Franklin Pierce AdamsNovember 15, 1881AmericanFranklin Pierce Adams was a well-known American newspaper columnist
Kelly KillorenMay 1, 1968AmericanKelly Killoren is an American author, socialite, and former model
Ben Bradlee

Ben Bradlee

Benjamin Bradlee was a distinguished journalist, best known for his work at The Washington Post

AmericanAugust 26, 1921121 views

Oliver North

Oliver North is a former United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, political commentator and TV host

AmericanOctober 7, 1943122 views

Norman Cousins

Norman Cousins was an American political journalist and author

AmericanJune 24, 1915123 views

Maureen Dowd

Maureen Dowd is a well known American columnist and best-selling author

AmericanJanuary 14, 1952123 views

Malcolm Muggeridge

Malcolm Muggeridge was a famous journalist, author and satirist

BritishMarch 24, 1903118 views

Chris Matthews

Chris Matthews is an American political commentator best known as the outspoken host of the talk show, ‘Hardball with Chris Matthews’.

AmericanDecember 17, 1945106 views

Bill O'Reilly

Bill O’Reilly is one of the most established and popular national media personalities in the US

AmericanSeptember 10, 1949117 views

Kelly Killoren

Kelly Killoren is an American author, socialite, and former model

AmericanMay 1, 1968137 views

Pauline Phillips

Pauline Phillips, best known by her pen name “Abigail Van Buren”, was an American advice columnist who authored the famous “Dear Abby” column

AmericanJuly 4, 1918131 views

David Brooks

David Brooks is a Canadian born American journalist, social analyst and leading political commentator

CanadianAugust 11, 1961139 views