Harmon, Dudley, 1912-1966

Dudley Harmon, London, 1943

Dudley Harmon was born in Washington, D.C., November 9, 1912, to Dudley and Selene Armstrong Harmon, both journalists. After graduating cum laude from Smith College in 1934, she began her career as a society columnist for the Washington Post. Resigning in 1941, Harmon went to work for the Free French in Brazzaville, French Equatorial Africa, where she also served as a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor. Her next location was in London, in 1942, as Director of Public Relations for the U.S. War Shipping Administration. She joined the United Press in 1943 as one of their first female foreign correspondents during World War II. From 1943 to 1952, she was assigned to London, Paris, and Washington. She covered the Nuremburg Trials in 1946, and reported from the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva from 1948 to 1952. Harmon also served as a member of the United Press staff covering the U.N. General Assemblies in 1948 and 1950.

Returning to this country in 1952, after nine years with the United Press, Harmon worked as Acting Publicity Director for the League of Women Voters in Washington, D.C., as a consultant to the Ford Foundation in New York City, and as Acting Publicity Director for Sarah Lawrence College. She returned to Smith College in 1955 to assume the position of News Director. In 1962, Harmon was named Manager of Information Services for CBS News, Washington Bureau, the post she held until she died on September 14, 1966.

From the guide to the Dudley Harmon Papers MS 191., 1920-1967, (Sophia Smith Collection)

Journalist; War correspondent.

Dudley Harmon was born in Washington D.C., 1912; A.B. Smith College, 1934; society columnist for Washington Post until 1941; then worked for the Free French in Brazzaville, French Equatorial Africa, where she also served as a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor. Became director of public relations for the U.S. War Shipping Administration in London, 1942; joined United Press, 1943, and became their first woman war correspondent during WWII. Reported from London, Paris, and Washington; the Nuremberg Trials in 1946; and the U.N. European headquarters in Geneva, 1948-52. Served as member of United Press staff covering the U.N. General Assemblies, 1948-50. Became acting publicity director for the League of Women Voters in Washington D.C., 1952; consultant to Ford Foundation, New York City; and acting publicity director for Sarah Lawrence College. Returned to Smith College as news director, 1955, then was manager of information services for CBS News, Washington Bureau until her death in 1966.

From the description of Papers, 1920-1967. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 49696136