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 < back to authors list James D. Startt:
Startt's interest in journalism started early. A "true son of Baltimore," he grew up "relishing the Baltimore Sun and listening to the great radio commentators at their peak." At the University of Maryland, where he earned a doctorate, he developed a "lifelong addiction to history" that is linked to a fascination with original research. Reading the primary sources, finding what has been written in the margins, intrigues him, Startt said. He is particularly interested in 20th century history and the interaction between journalism and other institution's such as the state, politics and diplomacy. For him, the British Empire "always held a tremendous mystique in my imagination." He also enjoys writing and the process that goes into it. Startt has published or presented more than 70 works on history. He is writing a book on journalism and its relationship to Woodrow Wilson during the World War I era. Startt infuses his fascination and energy into his teaching also. "There's an interaction between research and teaching," he said. "That interaction lies in recognizing the process -- how you express and how you approach facts." An "intangible influence" from having gone through the process of research and writing, shows in teaching, he said.. He enjoys the inner excitement of seeing other people grow in their appreciation of history." His service to the American Journalism Historians Association, which presented him the Kobre Award, goes way back. He was assistant editor of the journal American Journalism from 1982 to 1992. There's nary a committee on which he hasn't served. He was president elected president in 1997. Startt called receiving the Kobre Award "a mixture of honor and appreciation and humility." "The humility comes from knowing the others who've won it," he said. "I've learned so much from my colleagues in AJHA and I owe them a great deal. I'm sure I have a lot left to learn from them. The award belongs to everyone in the organization because of the camaraderie and openness and willingness to share." Startt's philosophy about service is simple: "Do what you can, what time and experience allows." But he stresses: "The profession deserves to be served because it is the framework and organization for the basis of what we do. We all stand on one another's shoulders. We have to be willing to do that because it deserves, needs to be done." He's grateful he "happened to be in a position to do that." As a teacher Startt is known for open-door policy. "The most important moment comes in the office, where you can talk with someone one to one and really draw them out," he said. How has Jim Startt done it all -- research, teaching and service? "The key is balance," he said. He explained it is an effort of "divide and conquer," so to speak. "You've got to separate things, maintain discipline, and concentrate 100 percent on what you are doing at that time. Give it your best shot. Search for the significance of what you're doing." Startt's works include the acclaimed Journalists for Empire: The Imperial Debate in the Edwardian Stately Press, 1903-1913 and Journalism's Unofficial Ambassador: A Biography of Edward Price Bell, 1869-1943. Among texts that he has co-edited and co-authored are Historical Methods in Mass Communication and The Significance of the Media in American History. He is co-editor of the seven-Greenwood volume series, The History of American Journalism. — reported by Lisa Daigle, 2001 |
