Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist Russell Baker Dies At 93

"Russell Baker, the Pulitzer Prize winning writer who penned thousands of columns for The New York Times, and hosted the PBS television program "Masterpiece Theatre," died Monday at his home in Leesburg, Va. He was 93."

"Baker got his start as a news reporter with the Baltimore Sun, but became known for his "Observer" column in the Times, where he commented on modern life with unmistakable whimsy. Though often pegged to the specifics of the time, many of his observations are just as relevant today as they were when published decades ago. A family member tells NPR that Baker was 'a beautiful man.'"

"'We couldn't have asked for a better father,' said his son, Allen Baker, according to the Baltimore Sun. 'He was a tender and loving man to his family. ... He was just a Regular Joe with an extraordinary job.' His son says Baker died after complications from a fall."

"Then Baker moved from Washington to New York in 1974, the scope of his column expanded, the Times says in its obituary. At first political, it soon grew to encompass all aspects of day-to-day life. Baker won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1979. It was the first Pulitzer for commentary awarded to a humorist, the Times says."