Dan Rather, born Daniel Irvin Rather Jr., is an American journalist, author, and television news anchor. He has been an outspoken advocate for press freedom and has reported on a wide range of topics throughout his career, from the civil rights movement to the Vietnam War.
Rather was born in Wharton, Texas on October 31, 1931. He attended Sam Houston State University and received his B.A. in journalism in 1953. Following graduation, Rather began his career as a reporter in a small radio station in Texas. He then moved up to television, becoming the news director and anchoring the evening newscast for KTRH-TV in Houston.
In 1961, Rather joined CBS News in New York as a reporter and later a correspondent. He was sent to Vietnam in 1964 to report on the conflict. His coverage of the Vietnam War was some of the most memorable of the era, and he won numerous awards for his reporting. In 1973, Rather took over as CBS Evening News anchor, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in television news.
During his tenure as anchor, Rather was known for his hard-hitting reporting and interviews with world leaders. He was also a vocal critic of the Reagan administration, which led to a highly publicized clash with the White House in 1986.
Rather stepped down as CBS Evening News anchor in 2005, after 24 years of service. He remained with CBS as a special correspondent until 2006, and later worked as an anchor for cable news channel HDNet. In 2013, Rather started a new television show, The Big Interview with Dan Rather, which has been running for six years.
Rather continues to be an active voice in the media, speaking out against censorship and advocating for a free press. He has written several books, including his autobiography, Rather Outspoken, and has been honored with numerous awards for his journalism. Dan Rather is a true legend in the world of news.
