James Charles "Jim" Lehrer (/ˈlɛərər/;born May 19, 1934 – January 23, 2020) was an American journalist and novelist.
Lehrer was born in Wichita, Kansas. He was the executive editor and a former news anchor for the PBS NewsHour on PBS. Lehrer was also known for his role as a debate moderator in U.S. presidential election campaigns. He was an author of a number of fiction and nonfiction books.[1]
From 1960 until his death, he was married to novelist Kate Staples. They had three children.
Lehrer died at his home in Washington, D.C. on January 23, 2020 from a heart attack at age 85.[2][3]
Lehrer has received two Emmy Awards, the Fred Friendly First Amendment Award and the George Foster Peabody Award.[4] He has received the William Allen White Foundation Award for Journalistic Merit and the University of Missouri School of Journalism's Honor Medal.[4] Lehrer was honored in 1999 with the National Humanities Medal. It was given by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.[4] He has been inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[4] Lehrer has received honorary degrees from 42 universities and colleges.[4]