Karen Elliott House
Encyclopedia
Karen Elliott House is a journalist and former executive at the Wall Street Journal and its parent company Dow Jones. She served as President of Dow Jones International and then publisher of the WSJ before her retirement in the spring of 2006.
A native of Matador, Texas
, House received a bachelors in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was editor of the university's newspaper, The Daily Texan
. She was also a member of Orange Jackets
, an honorary organization for women at UT. In 1984 House was awarded a Pulitzer Prize
in international reporting for her coverage of the Middle East
while a reporter with the Wall Street Journal. The prize was awarded for a series of interviews with Jordan
's King Hussein, which anticipated the problems Ronald Reagan
's Middle East peace plan would face. She is also the recipient of the Overseas Press Club's Bob Considine Award for best daily newspaper interpretation of foreign affairs (1984 and 1988); the University of Southern California's Distinguished Achievement in Journalism Award (1983); Georgetown University's Edward Weintal Award for distinguished coverage of American foreign policy (1980); and the National Press Club's Edwin M. Hood Award for Excellence in Diplomatic Reporting (1982).
House joined the Journal as a reporter in 1974. She was named assistant foreign editor in 1983; foreign editor in 1984; vice-president of the Dow Jones International Group; and president of the International Group in 1995. In 2002 she was appointed publisher by the board of Dow Jones. As publisher she was the architect of the Journal's Weekend Edition, among other ambitious and often controversial projects. At the Journal, House worked under her husband, Peter R. Kann
, Dow Jones CEO and chairman of the board from 1992 until 2006.
In February 2007, House wrote a series of articles for the WSJ following a month-long tour of Saudi Arabia.
House is a board member of both the Council on Foreign Relations
and Boston University. She is serving as the Vice Chairman on the board of trustees for RAND Corporation.
A native of Matador, Texas
Matador, Texas
Matador is a town in and the county seat of Motley County, Texas, United States. The population was 740 at the 2000 census. In 1891, it was established by and named for the Matador Ranch...
, House received a bachelors in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was editor of the university's newspaper, The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan is the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin. It is entirely student-run and independent from the university. It is one of the largest college newspapers in the United States with a daily circulation of roughly 30,000 during the fall and spring semesters and bills...
. She was also a member of Orange Jackets
Orange Jackets
Orange Jackets is one of the oldest student organizations at the University of Texas at Austin, USA, founded in 1923 as a women's honorary organization, named for their distinctive orange vests...
, an honorary organization for women at UT. In 1984 House was awarded a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
in international reporting for her coverage of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
while a reporter with the Wall Street Journal. The prize was awarded for a series of interviews with Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
's King Hussein, which anticipated the problems Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's Middle East peace plan would face. She is also the recipient of the Overseas Press Club's Bob Considine Award for best daily newspaper interpretation of foreign affairs (1984 and 1988); the University of Southern California's Distinguished Achievement in Journalism Award (1983); Georgetown University's Edward Weintal Award for distinguished coverage of American foreign policy (1980); and the National Press Club's Edwin M. Hood Award for Excellence in Diplomatic Reporting (1982).
House joined the Journal as a reporter in 1974. She was named assistant foreign editor in 1983; foreign editor in 1984; vice-president of the Dow Jones International Group; and president of the International Group in 1995. In 2002 she was appointed publisher by the board of Dow Jones. As publisher she was the architect of the Journal's Weekend Edition, among other ambitious and often controversial projects. At the Journal, House worked under her husband, Peter R. Kann
Peter R. Kann
Peter R. Kann is a journalist, editor, and businessman. He covered the Vietnam War for The Wall Street Journal and also covered other Asian wars. He earned a Pulitzer in 1972 for his coverage of the Indo-Pakistan War in Bangladesh. In 1976 he became the first editor and publisher of The Wall...
, Dow Jones CEO and chairman of the board from 1992 until 2006.
In February 2007, House wrote a series of articles for the WSJ following a month-long tour of Saudi Arabia.
House is a board member of both the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
and Boston University. She is serving as the Vice Chairman on the board of trustees for RAND Corporation.