Peter Kihss

Peter Kihss
Born	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	December 28, 1984 (aged 72) Jamaica Estates, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Journalist Reporter Editor
Education	Columbia University
Children	2

Peter Frederick Kihss (died December 28, 1984) was an American reporter for The New York Times and other news organizations for nearly half a century until his retirement in 1982. Kihss was known for his reporting on a wide range of topics, including immigrants, state and city governments, crime, the weather and other subjects.

Early life

Kihss was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Latvian immigrants. He graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1932.

Career

Kihss' career began in 1933, working at The Associated Press, The Washington Post, the New York Herald Tribune, and for 30 years at The Times. He became a reporter because he thought it was an opportunity to "do good for somebody". He began his career at The Times on January 6, 1952. Early in his career, he was a foreign correspondent in South America. He retired in 1982. Following his retirement, a $5,000 journalism award was established in his honor by the Fund for the City of New York.

Awards

In 1966, Kihss received a special mention by the Society of the Silurians for his work covering the northeast blackout of 1965. In 1971, Kihss was honored by the Society of the Silurians, receiving a gold quill marking his "continued distinguished journalistic work" for more than 25 years. Kihss was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize four times.

Death and legacy

Kihss died on December 28, 1984, of a heart attack at his house in Jamaica Estates, Queens, at the age of 72. Then mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, called Kihss "one of the most factual and thoughtful of reporters". He was often referred to as the "world's greatest reporter". He was survived by his wife, Alice, and two children. The Society of Silurians established The Peter Kihss Award in his honor, an award given to journalists.