Alfred Balk
Encyclopedia
Alfred Balk was an American magazine writer/editor and journalist-book author, dedicated to media-improvement activities.
He was awarded journalism degrees at Northwestern University
(B.S. 1952, M.S. 1953). Then followed newswriting at station WBBM
(WBBM-TV), reporting at The Chicago Sun-Times, and writing freelance articles for major national magazines. He was a member of the Society of Magazine Writers, which elected him president in 1969. During eight years of full time freelancing his most influential articles appeared in the era’s leading magazines.
For the weekly Saturday Evening Post, which for a time retained him under contract, he wrote on subjects such as Mayor Richard J. Daley
of Chicago
, victims of a fallout-shelter craze, how a T.V. jackpot almost ruined the winners, defections among Protestant ministers, and the rise of Elijah Muhammad
's Nation of Islam
, co-authored with Alex Haley
of future Roots and Autobiography of Malcolm X fame. One Post article, “Confessions of a Block-Buster” (July 14–21, 1962), made legal history when, after the weekly’s demise a homeowners group sued Balk to compel disclosure of his confidential source. A U.S. District Court upheld his right to confidentiality, the Supreme Court declined to review the decision, and the press (May 8, 1973) pronounced the case a landmark.
For Harper’s, his subjects included zoning abuses, a builder who made integration pay, and two high-profile cover stories. One, a collaboration with then State Sen.Paul Simon on “The Illinois Legislature: A Study in Corruption” (September 1964), spurred ethics reforms and vaulted Simon to national prominence, a U.S. Senate seat, and a legacy including helping foster President-to-be Barack Obama
’s political rise. The other, “God Is Rich” (October 1967), on religious organizations’ tax exemptions, led to the book The Religion Business (John Knox Press) and, under a Foundation fellowship, a nationwide study The Free List: Property Without Taxes (Russell Sage Foundation), which Time, in a two-page report (May 3, 1971), described as “a penetrating new book.”
Among other prominent articles, for The Reader’s Digest he reported on nursing-home neglect, threats to public parkland, Great Lakes water problems, boating-boom safety hazards, and Thomas Edison
remembered by a son; for The Reporter, the social significance of Ebony magazine founder John Johnson’s success; and for The New York Times Magazine, the “Dust Bowl” revisited.
He served on staffs at four magazines, during which he also wrote signed pieces: Editor at Columbia Journalism Review (1969–1973) and World Press Review (1973–1986); Feature Editor and Editor-at-Large at Saturday Review (1966–1970); and Managing Editor at IEEE Spectrum (1989–1990). He also was an Executive Committee member of the American Society of Magazine Editors
and Overseas Press Club
and consultant to the Twentieth Century Fund and Ford Foundation
and the John and Mary Markle Foundation. After his last full time position, on the journalism faculty at Syracuse University
, he wrote his eighth book, The Rise of Radio: From Marconi Through the Golden Age (McFarland, 2006).
, aged 80. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren.
He was awarded journalism degrees at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
(B.S. 1952, M.S. 1953). Then followed newswriting at station WBBM
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
(WBBM-TV), reporting at The Chicago Sun-Times, and writing freelance articles for major national magazines. He was a member of the Society of Magazine Writers, which elected him president in 1969. During eight years of full time freelancing his most influential articles appeared in the era’s leading magazines.
For the weekly Saturday Evening Post, which for a time retained him under contract, he wrote on subjects such as Mayor Richard J. Daley
Richard J. Daley
Richard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...
of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, victims of a fallout-shelter craze, how a T.V. jackpot almost ruined the winners, defections among Protestant ministers, and the rise of Elijah Muhammad
Elijah Muhammad
Elijah Muhammad was an African American religious leader, and led the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975...
's Nation of Islam
Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam is a mainly African-American new religious movement founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in July 1930 to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African-Americans in the United States of America. The movement teaches black pride and...
, co-authored with Alex Haley
Alex Haley
Alexander Murray Palmer Haley was an African-American writer. He is best known as the author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family and the coauthor of The Autobiography of Malcolm X.-Early life:...
of future Roots and Autobiography of Malcolm X fame. One Post article, “Confessions of a Block-Buster” (July 14–21, 1962), made legal history when, after the weekly’s demise a homeowners group sued Balk to compel disclosure of his confidential source. A U.S. District Court upheld his right to confidentiality, the Supreme Court declined to review the decision, and the press (May 8, 1973) pronounced the case a landmark.
For Harper’s, his subjects included zoning abuses, a builder who made integration pay, and two high-profile cover stories. One, a collaboration with then State Sen.Paul Simon on “The Illinois Legislature: A Study in Corruption” (September 1964), spurred ethics reforms and vaulted Simon to national prominence, a U.S. Senate seat, and a legacy including helping foster President-to-be Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
’s political rise. The other, “God Is Rich” (October 1967), on religious organizations’ tax exemptions, led to the book The Religion Business (John Knox Press) and, under a Foundation fellowship, a nationwide study The Free List: Property Without Taxes (Russell Sage Foundation), which Time, in a two-page report (May 3, 1971), described as “a penetrating new book.”
Among other prominent articles, for The Reader’s Digest he reported on nursing-home neglect, threats to public parkland, Great Lakes water problems, boating-boom safety hazards, and Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
remembered by a son; for The Reporter, the social significance of Ebony magazine founder John Johnson’s success; and for The New York Times Magazine, the “Dust Bowl” revisited.
He served on staffs at four magazines, during which he also wrote signed pieces: Editor at Columbia Journalism Review (1969–1973) and World Press Review (1973–1986); Feature Editor and Editor-at-Large at Saturday Review (1966–1970); and Managing Editor at IEEE Spectrum (1989–1990). He also was an Executive Committee member of the American Society of Magazine Editors
American Society of Magazine Editors
The American Society of Magazine Editors is an industry trade group for editors of magazines published in the United States. The group advocates on behalf of member organizations with respect to First Amendment issues, and serves as a networking hub for editors and other industry employees...
and Overseas Press Club
Overseas Press Club
The Overseas Press Club of America was founded in 1939 in New York City by a group of foreign correspondents. The wire service reporter Carol Weld was a founding member...
and consultant to the Twentieth Century Fund and Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
and the John and Mary Markle Foundation. After his last full time position, on the journalism faculty at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, he wrote his eighth book, The Rise of Radio: From Marconi Through the Golden Age (McFarland, 2006).
Death
Balk died of colon cancer on November 25, 2010 in his home in Huntley, IllinoisHuntley, Illinois
Huntley is a rapidly-growing village in McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the village's population to be 22,923. As of the 2000 Census, the village had a mere 5,730 people, meaning the village's population has more than tripled in eight years...
, aged 80. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren.
Books
- The Rise of Radio, from Marconi through the Golden Age (McFarland, 2006).
- Movie Palace Masterpiece: Saving Syracuse’s Loew’s State/Landmark Theatre (Landmark Foundation, 1998).
- The Myth of American Eclipse: The New Global Age (Transaction), 1990.
- A Free and Responsive Press (Twentieth Century Fund, Paperback), 1972.
- Our Troubled Press: Ten Years of Columbia Journalism Review co-author with James Boylan, Little Brown, 1971.
- The Free List: Property Without Taxes (Russell Sage/Basic Books), 1970.
- The Religion Business (John Knox Press), 1968.
- Kup’s Chicago: A Many-Faceted and Affectionate Portrait (collaboration with Irv Kupcinet, World), 1962.
Saturday Evening Post
- “Anyone for Survival” (Mar. 27, 1965)
- “The Last Dinosaur Wins Again” (May 11, 1963)
- “Black Merchants of Hate” (with Alex Haley; Jan. 26, 1963)
- “Why I Quit the Ministry” (with an anonymous ex-minister; Nov. 17, 1962)
- “Confessions of a Block-Buster” (July 14–21, 1962)
- “A Jackpot Almost Ruined Their Lives” (July 15, 1961).
Harper's
- “God Is Rich” (Oct., 1967)
- “Zoning: Invitation to Bribery” (Oct. 1966)
- “The Builder Who Makes Integration Pay” (July, 1965)
- “The Illinois Legislature: A Study in Corruption” (with Sen. Paul Simon; Sept., 1964).
Reader's Digest
- “Water Crisis on the Great Lakes” (Mar., 1965)
- “The Shame of Our Nursing Homes” (Jan., 1965)
- “Danger Rides in Small Boats” (Aug., 1962)
- “My Most Unforgettable Character” (December 1961); “Good-Bye to Our Public Parks” (November 1960).
External links
- Alfred Balk papers at the Newberry Library