William Hollingsworth Attwood ’41

Bill Attwood died on Apr. 14, 1989, of heart failure at his home in New Canaan, Conn. He was one of the most illustrious members of our class and had a remarkable career in journalism. He was a correspondent for the N.Y. Herald Tribune, Collier’s, and Look magazines, and, later, with Cowles Communications and Newsday, where he served as chairman of the board until he retired in 1979. He also was a speechwriter for Adlai Stevenson '22 and John F. Kennedy, served as ambassador to Guinea and Kenya, and was a special adviser on African affairs to the U.N. Bill taught seminars on journalism and diplomacy at universities across the nation.

Bill was born in Paris of American parents and came to Princeton from Choate. At Princeton, he majored in history and graduated with honors. He was editorial chairman of the Princetonian and was a member of the 150-lb. crew and Quadrangle Club. In Dec. 1941, he enlisted in the Army. After serving in the Middle East and the Pacific with the Counter Intelligence Corps and as a paratrooper with the 13th Airborne Division, he attained the rank of captain.

Bill authored six books, and his writings earned him a number of national journalism awards. He was voted Man of the Quarter-Century by our class at our 25th reunion, and he served a four-year term as alumni trustee. At his death, he was completing a third term as a member of New Canaan's Town Council.

He is survived by his widow Simone, a son, two daughters, and three grandchildren. To his family and friends we send our deepest regrets.