David McCullough Obituary

David Gaub McCullough, known to millions as an award-winning, best-selling author, an appealing television host and narrator with a rare gift for recreating the great events and characters of America’s past, has died. He died on Sunday August 7, 2022 at his home in Hingham, Mass, aged 89.

McCullough was born in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Ruth Rankin and Christian Hax McCullough. He is of Scots-Irish descent.

McCullough is one of four sons, and he had a “marvelous” childhood with a wide range of interests, including sports and drawing cartoons.

McCullough’s parents and his grandmother, who read to him often, introduced him to books at an early age.

His parents also often talked about history, a topic he says should be discussed more often.

According to reports, McCullough “loved school, every day” and he contemplated many career choices, ranging from architect, actor, painter, writer, to lawyer, and considered attending medical school for a time.

He was educated at Linden Avenue Grade School and Shady Side Academy, in his hometown of Pittsburgh and had his colleged education at Yale University.

While at Yale, he became a member of Skull and Bones.

He served apprenticeships at Time, Life, the United States Information Agency, and American Heritage, where he enjoyed research.

“Once I discovered the endless fascination of doing the research and of doing the writing, I knew I had found what I wanted to do in my life.”

While attending Yale, McCullough studied Arts and earned his bachelor’s degree in English, with the intention of becoming a fiction writer or playwright. He graduated with honors in English literature in 1955.

McCullough’s first book was The Johnstown Flood (1968); and he has since written nine more on such topics as Harry S. Truman, John Adams, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Wright brothers.

McCullough has also narrated numerous documentaries, such as The Civil War by Ken Burns, as well as the 2003 film Seabiscuit; and he hosted American Experience for twelve years.

McCullough’s two Pulitzer Prize–winning books, Truman and John Adams, have been adapted by HBO into a TV film and a miniseries, respectively.