Alistair Cooke: Letter from America Broadcaster Dies at 95

Alistair Cooke was a British-born broadcaster and journalist. Born on November 20, 1908, in Salford, England, he became an American citizen in 1941 and reported on the United States for British audiences.

Cooke presented the BBC radio series Letter from America from 1946 until March 2004, making it the longest-running speech radio program in history. He also hosted Omnibus and introduced Masterpiece Theatre in the United States for more than two decades.

He was given an honorary knighthood in 1973. Cooke retired in March 2004 because of failing health and died of heart failure at his home in New York City on March 30, 2004, at age 95.

Achievements: Letter from America (1946-2004), host of Masterpiece Theatre, honorary KBE (1973).

Birth: November 20, 1908 - Salford, England.

Profession: Broadcaster and journalist.

Interesting Facts: His final broadcast aired in February 2004.