John B. Oakes
Contributors: Leish, Kenneth W., interviewer; Bruns, Scott, interviewer; Starr, Louis Morris, 1917-1980, interviewer; Columbia University. Oral History Research Office; Columbia University. Digital Knowledge Ventures; Columbia University. Libraries. Digital Program Division
Publisher: Columbia University Libraries
Published: 1978
Place of publication: [New York, N.Y.]
Language: eng
Subjects: Journalists; Interviews; Journalistic ethics; Newspaper publishing; Editorials; Newspapers; Sections, columns; New York times
Other titles: John Bertram Oakes; Reminiscences of John Bertram Oakes
Description: Relationship of editor to publisher; editorializing in news stories; pressures from special interest groups; fair trial vs. free press; BEHIND THE FRONT PAGE; development of special features; introduction of Op Ed page; retirement as editorial page editor, 1976.  Impressions of Arthur O. Sulzberger, A.H. Raskin, Fred Hechinger.
Notes: Title from home page (viewed May 19, 2006).

Includes audio recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1977 and 1978. The site includes a biographical sketch and photo galley. The text of the transcripts are fully searchable, and a table of contents and name index are included.

The web site was created as joint project of the Libraries' Oral History Research Office and Libraries' Digital Program Division. Columbia's Digital Knowledge Ventures (DKV) provided site design, programming and consulting services.

Interviewed by Kenneth W. Leish, Scott Bruns and Louis Morris Starr.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

John Bertram Oakes, editor of the New York Times editorial page from 1961 to 1976, was the creator of the contemporary op-ed page, featuring the opinions of both the newspaper and external writers. Under his guidance, the Times editorials moved from cautiously worded dispassionate views to more rousing, liberal calls for social change, particularly for ending the war in Vietnam, promoting civil rights, and protecting the environment. Through his Times environmental editorials, Oakes became a key coalescing force in the modern environmental movement.

Forms part of: Notable New Yorkers.