40 Facts About Doris Kearns Goodwin

Early Life and Education

Doris Kearns Goodwin's journey began in Brooklyn, New York, and her early experiences shaped her future career as a historian and author.

1. Doris Helen Kearns Goodwin was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 4, 1943.
2. She grew up in Rockville Center, Long Island, where her invalid mother encouraged her love of books and her father shared her love of baseball.
3. Goodwin attended Colby College in Maine, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964.
4. In 1964, she was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to pursue doctoral studies.
5. Goodwin earned her Ph.D. in government from Harvard University in 1968 with a thesis titled "Prayer and Reapportionment: An Analysis of the Relationship between the Congress and the Court."

Career Beginnings and White House Experience

Goodwin's career took an interesting turn when she entered the political arena, gaining firsthand experience in the White House.

6. In 1967, she was a White House Fellow, during which she co-authored an article for The New Republic entitled "How to Remove LBJ in 1968," which was critical of President Johnson's foreign policy.
7. Despite her critical article, President Johnson asked her to join his staff as a special assistant in the White House.
8. After Johnson decided not to run for reelection, Goodwin focused on domestic anti-poverty efforts during her time at the White House.
9. After President Johnson left office in 1969, Goodwin began a decade-long tenure as a professor of government at Harvard University, where she taught a course on the American presidency.
10. On weekends, holidays, and vacations, she traveled to Johnson's ranch in Texas to assist him in preparing his memoirs, The Vantage Point (1971).

Marriage and Early Publications

Goodwin's personal life and early publications played a significant role in her career development.

11. In 1975, Goodwin married Richard Goodwin, who had been an advisor and speechwriter to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and to Senator Robert Kennedy.
12. Her first book, Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream, was published in 1977 and became a New York Times bestseller and Book of the Month Club selection.
13. With her husband's assistance, she began research in the Kennedy family archives in Hyannisport, resulting in The Fitzgeralds & The Kennedys (1987), another New York Times bestseller for five months.

Major Works and Awards

Goodwin's major works have garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards, solidifying her reputation as a leading historian.

14. Her book No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The American Home Front During World War II won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1995.
15. Published in 1997, Wait Till Next Year: A Memoir about growing up in the 1950s and her love of the Brooklyn Dodgers became a New York Times bestseller and Book of the Month Club selection.
16. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, published in 2005, recounts President Lincoln's complex relations with the strong personalities he brought into his wartime cabinet and won the prestigious Lincoln Prize and the inaugural Book Prize for American History.
17. The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Age of Journalism, published in 2013, explores the dynamic relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft and their roles in shaping American journalism.
18. Released in 2018, Leadership in Turbulent Times examines the leadership styles of U.S. presidents during times of crisis, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.

Contributions to Sports and Media

Goodwin's interests extend beyond history, as she has made significant contributions to sports journalism and media.

19. Goodwin was the first woman to enter the Boston Red Sox locker room in 1979, showcasing her interest in sports journalism.
20. She consulted on and appeared in Ken Burns' 1994 documentary Baseball, further demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach to history.
21. In 2022, Goodwin was the executive producer of the History Channel docudrama Abraham Lincoln, based on her book Leadership in Turbulent Times.

Recognition and Honors

Goodwin's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, reflecting her impact on the field of history.

22. In 1996, Goodwin received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement for her contributions to history and public service.
23. She has received honorary degrees from Bates College, Westfield State College, and Dartmouth College, recognizing her academic achievements and contributions to the field of history.
24. Goodwin has been a regular panelist on Public Television's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, providing insightful commentary on political and historical issues.
25. She has been a frequent commentator on NBC and MSNBC, appearing in various news programs and documentaries.
26. Goodwin has been a consultant and on-air person for PBS documentaries on LBJ, the Kennedy family, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ken Burns' History of Baseball.

Bestselling Author and Awards

Goodwin's books have consistently been bestsellers, earning her numerous accolades and awards.

27. Her books have consistently been bestsellers, including Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream, The Fitzgeralds & The Kennedys, No Ordinary Time, and Team of Rivals.
28. Goodwin's book No Ordinary Time won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1995, solidifying her reputation as a leading historian.
29. Her book Team of Rivals won the Lincoln Prize in 2005 for the best book about the American Civil War.
30. Goodwin won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction for her book The Bully Pulpit in 2014.
31. The Bully Pulpit was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History in 2013.
32. The Bully Pulpit was named one of the Christian Science Monitor's 15 best nonfiction books in 2013.

Influence on Popular Culture

Goodwin's work has influenced popular culture, including film adaptations and television appearances.

33. Goodwin's experiences as an assistant to President Johnson influenced Stephen King's novel 11/22/63, which explores a worst-case scenario if history had changed.
34. In 2016, she appeared as herself in the fifth episode of a TV show, further demonstrating her presence in popular culture.
35. Goodwin's book Team of Rivals served as the primary source for Steven Spielberg's biographical film Lincoln (2012), showcasing her impact on film adaptations of historical works.

Historical Insights and Legacy

Goodwin's work provides valuable historical insights and has left a lasting legacy in the field of American history.

36. Goodwin has described her love of history as being about people and conflict, emphasizing the importance of learning from historical figures and events.
37. Her work often involves engaging with key figures of American politics, providing a unique personal perspective on historical events.
38. Goodwin and her husband spent years examining over three hundred boxes of historical documents, offering them a private glimpse into the turbulent 1960s.
39. Her explorations rekindled old dreams and inspired hope that current and future generations will persist in the narrative of America’s unfinished story.
40. Goodwin's contributions to American history are multifaceted, ranging from her Pulitzer Prize-winning books to her roles as a professor, commentator, and consultant, cementing her legacy as a leading historian and biographer.

Doris Kearns Goodwin's Legacy

Doris Kearns Goodwin has left an indelible mark on American history. Her Pulitzer Prize-winning works, like No Ordinary Time, and bestsellers such as Team of Rivals, showcase her knack for bringing historical figures to life. Goodwin's unique perspective, shaped by her time in the White House and her academic career, offers readers a deep dive into the complexities of U.S. presidents. Her contributions extend beyond books; she's a familiar face on TV, a consultant for documentaries, and even influenced Spielberg's Lincoln. Goodwin's passion for history and storytelling continues to inspire future generations. Her work reminds us that understanding the past is crucial for navigating the present and future. Whether through her books, media appearances, or public speaking, Goodwin's legacy as a historian and biographer remains significant and enduring.