David, Lester.

Lester David was a freelance journalist and author, born in New York City in 1914. He received a BA from New York University and MA from Columbia University. David began his journalistic career at the "Brooklyn Eagle". He served in the U.S.Army during World War II, working as managing editor of the Paris edition of "Stars and Stripes". After the war, he returned to the "Brooklyn Eagle" and became city editor. In 1950 he turned to freelance journalism. He wrote over 1,000 magazine articles on a wide variety of subjects in publications such as "American Legion", "Better Homes and Gardens", "Good Housekeeping", "McCall's", and "Mechanix Illustrated". In the 1960s he began to write books, beginning with "Slimming for Teenagers" (1966). He was a well-regarded Kennedy biographer, publishing seven books on members of the family. He was a celebrity watcher, publishing among other books "Richard and Elizabeth" (1976). He also wrote biographies of First Ladies and ghostwrote "McCarthy" for Roy Cohn, Senator Joseph MsCarthy's former chief counsel. David died on November 23, 1997.

From the description of Lester David papers, 1910-1998. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 65516657

Lester David, nationally known freelance journalist and author, was born in New York City in 1914. He was the son of Regina (Roth) David and William David, both of whom were natives of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. David earned his bachelor’s degree from New York University and his master’s from Columbia University. He became interested in journalism while attending graduate school.

David started his journalistic career with the now defunct Brooklyn Eagle . He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and became managing editor of the Paris Edition of Stars and Stripes . After the war, he returned to the Brooklyn Eagle and became city editor. David married Irene Neer, a fellow employee of the Eagle in 1947. The couple had two daughters: Margery Rosen and Susan Lewin. Mrs. David actively collaborated with Lester in his literary endeavors.

David turned to freelance journalism in 1950 and went on to a highly successful career that lasted more than forty years. He wrote over 1,000 magazine articles on a wide variety of subjects. His work appeared nationally in numerous magazines, including American Legion, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, McCall’s, and Mechanix Illustrated .

David began writing books during the 1960s, starting with Slimming for Teenagers (1966). In the course of his career, he wrote fifteen books on several different subjects. He was a well regarded Kennedy biographer, writing seven books on various members of the famed political family, including Ethel: The Story of Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy (1971), Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Folk Hero (1986), and Good Ted, Bad Ted: The Two Faces of Edward M. Kennedy (1993). He was a celebrity watcher of note as well, writing Richard and Elizabeth (1976), a work about the romance of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. David also wrote biographies of First Ladies, including The Lonely Lady of San Clemente: The Story of Pat Nixon (1978). Along with works under his own name, he ghostwrote McCarthy for Roy M. Cohn, Senator Joseph McCarthy’s former chief counsel.

In addition to his literary activities, David was an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Society of Magazine Writers, serving as vice president of the latter organization. Lester David passed away on November 23, 1997.

From the guide to the Lester David papers, 1910-1998, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)