Bliven, Bruce, 1889-1977

Author, editor, and journalist.

Editor of the New Republic, writer, and lecturer.

Editor of the New Republic, writer, and lecturer. Bliven, born 27 July 1889, received his b.a. in English from Stanford University in 1911. He died 6 May 1977.

Editor.

Biographical Note

Born July 27, 1889 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Bruce Ormsby Bliven was the son of Charles and Lilla Ormsby Bliven. Having won prizes for his writing ability as early as age fourteen, Bruce went on to work his way through Stanford University as a cub reporter for the S.F. Bulletin. He received a B.A. in English in 1911.

Freelance magazine writing and advertising copywriting occupied the years immediately following graduation until he accepted a position as head of the University of Southern California School of Journalism from 1914 to 1916. After two years on the staff of Printer's Ink and four as an editorial writer and managing editor for the New York Globe, Bliven joined the New Republic in 1923.

Bliven, a determined critic of the Harding, Coolidge and Hoover Administrations, helped expose the Teapot Dome ore scandals of the twenties. Upon Herbert Croly's demise, Bliven succeeded as editor of New Republic. His principal colleagues on the magazine included George Soule, economist; Robert Morss Lovett, professor and reformer; Malcolm Cowley, literary critic; and Stark Young, drama critic.

Bliven moved the magazine's editorial policy noticeably to the left in the thirties, but by 1933 it supported Franklin Roosevelt's policies, both foreign and domestic. Bliven's insights into the 1930's and 1940's are reflected in his work, The World Changers. During these years (1927-1947), Bliven also served as New York correspondent for The Manchester Guardian.

In 1953, after suffering a heart attack, Bliven returned to Stanford University where he served as a lecturer in communications and journalism.

Continuing his freelance literary career, Bliven completed several works, including Five Million Words Later, his autobiography, and A Mirror for Greatness a biography of six famous Americans.

Bliven died May 6, 1977, and was survived by his wife of 64 years, Rose Frances Emery and a son, Bruce Bliven, Jr.

Biography

Editor of the New Republic, writer, and lecturer. Bliven, born 27 July 1889, received his b.a. in English from Stanford University in 1911. He died 6 May 1977.