L(awrence) (1904-1993) US journalist, author, and historian. A columnist and commentator for the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), from 1937 to 1941 he covered the events leading up World War II. He remained with CBS until 1947 and worked for the Mutual Broadcasting System 1947–49. His best-known book is The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich 1960, which provides a graphic account of Hitler’s rise to power.
Shirer was born in Chicago, educated at Coe College, and joined the Paris bureau of the Chicago Tribune 1926. Traveling widely throughout Europe, he joined the Paris staff of the New York Herald Tribune 1934. Among his other books is The Nightmare Years: 1930–1940 1984.