Gene Roberts (journalist)

Gene Roberts (born 1925) was an American journalist, editor, and professor, best known for his tenure as executive editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1972 to 1990. Under his leadership, The Inquirer won 17 Pulitzer Prizes, transforming it into a nationally respected and influential newspaper.

Roberts began his journalism career at the Goldsboro News-Argus in North Carolina. He then worked for the Raleigh News and Observer before joining The New York Times in 1954, where he covered the Civil Rights Movement in the South. He served as the Times' national news editor before accepting the position at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

At The Inquirer, Roberts fostered an environment of investigative reporting and in-depth coverage of local and national issues. He recruited talented journalists and provided them with the resources and support needed to produce high-quality work. His focus on journalistic excellence and commitment to public service helped revitalize the newspaper and establish its reputation for journalistic integrity.

After retiring from The Inquirer, Roberts became a professor at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. He also co-authored several books on journalism, including The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation, which won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2007 (co-authored with Hank Klibanoff). His contributions to American journalism were widely recognized, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential newspaper editors of the late 20th century.