Previous | Next
Part: 1234 Session: 1234 Page 262263264265266267268269270271272273274275276277278279280281282283284285286287288289290291292293294295296297298299300301302303304305306307 of 512
And it annoys me that very, very recently, in a book, as a matter of fact, in Harrison's latest book, published by Random House, there's reference in his biographical note to his origination of the Op-Ed page. I don't remember the exact phrase, but it's in there.
The implication is that he -
Oh, the implication is very strong that he was the originator and that makes me more than a little angry, because as a matter of fact, the first recorded contribution of Harrison's to the formulation of the page, in a committee, that was set up in 1966, was as representative of the then managing editor, Harrison being an assistant managing editor, and taking a very negative view of the whole idea.
So it's irritating. I had done a lot of agitation with Punch Sulzberger, the publisher, during - certainly by 1966, and the earliest documentation that I've so far been able to put my hands on - although I suspect that there is, there are earlier memos - is a memo from Punch, dated September 21st, 1966, addressed to me, stating that he would appreciate it, and I'm now quoting:
“I would appreciate it if you would undertake to chairing a study group looking into the pros and cons of an Op-Ed page.”
This memo of Punch's, which may be of interest -
© 2006 Columbia University Libraries | Oral History Research Office | Rights and Permissions | Help