13 Facts About James Wechsler

James Arthur Wechsler was an American journalist who worked as a newspaper columnist, Washington bureau chief, editor-in-chief, and editorial page editor of The New York Post.

James Wechsler was a prominent voice of American liberalism for 40 years and was considered one of the most highly informed and responsible political writers in Washington.

James Wechsler was shocked again when his friend Reed Harris was fired as editor of the Spectator for criticizing the professionalization of college football.

Between 1934 and 1937, James Wechsler belonged to the Young Communist League and was a leader of the pro-Communist American Student Union.

From 1942 to 1946, except for one year in the US Army, James Wechsler was national editor of the newspaper PM.

In May 1949, at 33, James Wechsler became the editor of The New York Post and, in an unusual arrangement, he was in charge of both the news operation and the editorial page.

In 1961, James Wechsler was shifted to the position of editorial page editor after being replaced as editor of the news section by Paul Sann; he held that position until 1980.

Besides editorials, James Wechsler wrote a regular column, which continued until shortly before his death.

James Wechsler testified before McCarthy's committee in 1953 on his past adherence to communism and named other party members.

When James Wechsler testified before McCarthy's Senate committee, the senator's deep paranoia was on prominent display.

James Wechsler suggested that Wechsler's well-documented hostility to Stalin was an elaborate ruse.

James Wechsler's work earned him a place on the master list of Nixon political opponents.

James Wechsler died of lung cancer on September 11,1983, in New York City.