David McCullough

David McCullough is an acclaimed American historian and author whose books have earned him numerous awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes and two U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom awards. He is widely considered one of the most influential American historians of all time, blending engaging stories and timelines to give a full picture of the pivotal moments in American history.

McCullough was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1933. He attended Yale University, where he earned his B.A. in English and graduated magna cum laude. After college, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a copy editor and scriptwriter. In these roles, he developed an interest in history, particularly the history of American presidents and government.

McCullough attracted attention in 1976 with the publication of his first book, The Johnstown Flood. The book examines the history of the city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, showing how a catastrophic flood in 1889 not only destroyed the city, but drastically changed the lives of those affected by it. McCullough received the 1977 National Book Award for his work.

McCullough’s next book, 1977’s The Great Bridge, investigated the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. The book was regarded favorably, and during the course of writing his next book, The Path Between the Seas, McCullough was awarded the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for History. The book covers the building of the Panama Canal, and the political, financial and social implications of the project.

In 1981, McCullough published his biography of former U.S. president Harry S. Truman. The book, Truman, was critically acclaimed, and won McCullough a second Pulitzer Prize. In addition, it helped to shape the public’s opinion of the former president, as he was largely seen in a negative light prior to McCullough’s book.

McCullough continued to write about the lives of American historical figures, including the Wright Brothers in The Wright Brothers in 2003, and John Adams in 2007’s John Adams. The latter earned McCullough a U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, while the former won him a second U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.

McCullough has also written fiction, including the bestseller Brave Companions in 1992. This book examines the stories of a variety of people who have made influential contributions to society, such as Charles Darwin and Alexander von Humboldt.

McCullough continues to write today, and his work is highly regarded by historians and readers alike. He has earned many awards over the years, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Pulitzer Prize. His dedication to detail and wide range of topics make him one of the most influential and well-respected historians writing today.