History of Bob Woodward in Timeline
Robert Upshur Woodward is a renowned American investigative journalist known for his work at The Washington Post. Starting as a reporter in 1971, he has risen to the position of associate editor. Woodward is particularly recognized for his contributions to investigative journalism, notably his coverage of the Watergate scandal.
March 26, 1943: Birth of Bob Woodward
On March 26, 1943, Bob Woodward, American investigative journalist, was born.
August 25, 1957: Birth of Elsa Walsh
Elsa Walsh, Bob Woodward's third wife, was born on August 25, 1957.
1961: Woodward Graduates High School and Enrolls at Yale
After graduating from Washington-Lee High School in 1961, Woodward enrolled at Yale University, pursuing a degree in history and English literature.
1965: Woodward Graduates from Yale University
In 1965, Bob Woodward earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, where he had studied history and English literature.
1966: First Marriage to Kathleen Middlekauff
Bob Woodward married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Middlekauff, in 1966.
1969: End of First Marriage
Bob Woodward's first marriage to Kathleen Middlekauff ended in 1969.
August 1970: Woodward Leaves Navy, Pursues Journalism
Upon leaving the Navy in August 1970, Woodward chose to pursue journalism instead of attending Harvard Law School, marking a turning point in his career path.
1970: Kent State Shootings
The audiotape revealed by Bob Woodward in 2019 featured President Richard Nixon's reaction to the 1970 Kent State shootings.
1971: Woodward Joins The Washington Post
After a year working for the Montgomery Sentinel, Woodward was hired by The Washington Post as a reporter in 1971.
1971: Woodward Begins Career at The Washington Post
In 1971, Bob Woodward started working as a reporter for The Washington Post, marking the beginning of his long and distinguished career at the newspaper.
June 17, 1972: Watergate Break-in: Woodward and Bernstein's Investigation Begins
On June 17, 1972, the Watergate break-in occurred, marking the start of Woodward and Bernstein's groundbreaking investigation into the scandal.
1972: Heywood Broun and George Polk Awards
Bob Woodward received the Heywood Broun award and the George Polk Award in 1972.
1972: Woodward and Bernstein Team Up on Watergate Scandal
In 1972, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein partnered to investigate the Watergate scandal, their reporting being pivotal in uncovering the truth and eventually leading to President Richard Nixon's resignation.
November 1973: Watergate Scandal: Key Events Unfold
In November 1973, significant developments in the Watergate scandal unfolded, further deepening the political crisis.
1973: Sigma Delta Chi Award
Bob Woodward received the Sigma Delta Chi Award in 1973.
1973: Pulitzer Prize for Public Service
The Washington Post won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1973 for its Watergate coverage, to which Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were lead reporters.
August 1974: President Nixon Resigns
In August 1974, facing impeachment and mounting pressure from the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon resigned from office.
1974: Second Marriage to Frances Kuper
Bob Woodward married Frances Kuper in 1974.
1976: "All the President's Men" Movie Released
Released in 1976, "All the President's Men", a film adaptation of Woodward and Bernstein's book about the Watergate scandal, brought their story to a wider audience and solidified their place in journalism history.
1976: Portrayal in "All the President's Men"
Robert Redford portrayed Bob Woodward in the 1976 film "All the President's Men."
1976: Woodward and Bernstein Publish "The Final Days"
Woodward and Bernstein released their second book on Watergate, "The Final Days", in 1976, providing further insight into the events leading to Nixon's resignation.
1979: End of Second Marriage
Bob Woodward's second marriage to Frances Kuper ended in 1979.
1979: Post-Watergate Books by Woodward
Joan Didion's 1996 critique focused on Bob Woodward's books published between 1979 and 1996, after Watergate.
September 1980: Janet Cooke's Fabricated Story Published in The Washington Post
In September 1980, The Washington Post published a feature story by Janet Cooke that was later found to be completely fabricated, leading to the return of the Pulitzer Prize awarded for the story.
April 13, 1981: Janet Cooke's Pulitzer Prize Revoked
On April 13, 1981, Janet Cooke's Pulitzer Prize for a story published in The Washington Post was returned after it was discovered the story was fabricated. Woodward, then assistant managing editor, had submitted the story for the prize.
1986: Worth Bingham Prize for Investigative Reporting
Bob Woodward received the Worth Bingham Prize for Investigative Reporting in 1986.
1986: Under Siege - TV Film Co-Writer
In 1986, Woodward collaborated with Christian Williams, Richard Harwood, and Alfred Sole on "Under Siege," a made-for-TV film aired on NBC, which depicted a series of terrorist attacks in the United States.
1989: Third Marriage to Elsa Walsh
Bob Woodward married Elsa Walsh, a writer, in 1989.
1989: The Nightmare Years - Story Writer
In 1989, Woodward, along with Williams, contributed as a story writer to the TNT TV miniseries "The Nightmare Years," adapted from the works of journalist William L. Shirer, portraying his experiences in pre-World War II Nazi Germany.
1989: Portrayal in "Wired"
J.T. Walsh played Bob Woodward in the 1989 film "Wired."
1995: Praise from Ben Bradlee and Golden Plate Award
In 1995, Bob Woodward was praised by former Post Executive Editor Ben Bradlee in his memoir and received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
September 6, 1996: Richard Harwood Defends Woodward's Reporting
On September 6, 1996, Richard Harwood, a Washington Post journalist, defended Bob Woodward's reporting style against Joan Didion's criticisms.
September 1996: Joan Didion Criticizes Woodward's Reporting Style
In September 1996, author Joan Didion published a critical essay on Bob Woodward's reporting, arguing that he lacked analysis and relied too heavily on official accounts.
1996: Woodward Reports on Alleged Chinese Campaign Finance Influence
Woodward and Brian Duffy broke a story in 1996 about alleged Chinese interference in the United States campaign finance system, sparking controversy and investigations.
1999: Portrayal in "Dick"
Will Ferrell portrayed Bob Woodward in the 1999 film "Dick."
2000: William Allen White Medal
Bob Woodward received the William Allen White Medal in 2000.
2000: David Gergen Praises Woodward's Reporting
In his 2000 memoir, David Gergen, a former White House staffer, praised Bob Woodward's reporting as "remarkably reliable" and a force for government accountability.
2001: Robert C. Vance Distinguished Lecture
Bob Woodward delivered the Robert C. Vance Distinguished Lecture at Central Connecticut State University in 2001.
2001: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
Bob Woodward received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2001.
2001: September 11 Attacks Coverage
Bob Woodward was a main reporter for The Washington Post's coverage of the September 11 attacks in 2001.
January 2002: Woodward Reports on Bush Administration's Post-9/11 Response
Woodward, in collaboration with Dan Balz, published a series of articles in January 2002, detailing the Bush administration's actions and deliberations in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
2002: Gerald R. Ford Prize for Reporting on the Presidency
Bob Woodward received the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Reporting on the Presidency in 2002.
2002: Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting
The Washington Post won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for its coverage of the September 11 attacks, to which Bob Woodward contributed.
June 2003: Woodward's Conversations with Scooter Libby
Following a conversation with a confidential source in June 2003, Woodward had conversations with Scooter Libby, during which he may have discussed Joe Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame.
June 2003: Woodward Apologizes for Not Disclosing Information Sooner
Following his deposition in the Plame affair investigation, Woodward apologized to Leonard Downie Jr., then executive editor of The Washington Post, for not informing him about the information he received in June 2003.
June 2003: Woodward Learns of Valerie Plame's CIA Employment
Woodward was told about Valerie Plame's employment at the CIA during an interview for his book "Plan of Attack" in June 2003, although he did not immediately report it.
2003: Al Hunt Calls Woodward "Most Celebrated Journalist of Our Age"
In 2003, Al Hunt of The Wall Street Journal called Bob Woodward "the most celebrated journalist of our age."
2004: Publication of "Plan of Attack"
In 2004, Bob Woodward released "Plan of Attack", a book that delved into the Bush administration's decision-making process in the lead-up to the Iraq War.
2004: Bob Schieffer Hails Woodward as "Best Reporter of Our Time"
In 2004, CBS News anchor Bob Schieffer declared Bob Woodward as "the best reporter of our time."
2004: New York Times Book Review Praises Woodward's Reporting
In 2004, The New York Times Book Review praised Bob Woodward's ability to uncover and communicate Washington's inside stories.
2004: Publication of "Plan of Attack"
In 2004, Woodward published "Plan of Attack", which provided an in-depth look at the Bush administration's planning for the Iraq War.
May 2005: Deep Throat's Identity Revealed
In May 2005, the identity of Woodward's Watergate source, Deep Throat, was revealed as former FBI Associate Director W. Mark Felt, ending decades of speculation.
November 14, 2005: Woodward Testifies in Plame Affair Investigation
On November 14, 2005, Bob Woodward gave a deposition to Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald in the investigation of the leak of CIA officer Valerie Plame's identity.
November 16, 2005: Woodward's Deposition in Plame Case Becomes Public
Two days after his deposition, details of Woodward's testimony in the Plame affair investigation were reported by The Washington Post, revealing his knowledge about the leak.
2006: Woodward Publishes Two Books on the Bush Presidency
Bob Woodward published two books on the Bush presidency in 2006: "State of Denial", which examined the handling of the Iraq War, and "The War Within: A Secret White House History (2006–2008)", offering a behind-the-scenes look at the administration.
2008: Woodward Jokes About Fifth Bush Book at Google Talk
During a Talks at Google event in 2008, Woodward lightheartedly mentioned working on a fourth book in his Bush at War series and joked about his wife's reaction to the possibility of a fifth book.
2008: Woodward Completes "The War Within"
In 2008, Bob Woodward completed "The War Within: A Secret White House History (2006–2008)", providing a detailed account of the latter years of the George W. Bush presidency.
2008: Woodward's Speaking Engagements and Donations
In 2008, Bob Woodward was giving paid speeches to various organizations and donating the fees to his personal foundation, which supported charities.
2012: Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award and Honorary Doctorate
Bob Woodward received the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award for courageous journalism and an honorary doctorate from Colby College in 2012.
2012: Obama Administration's Sequester Statements
In 2012, the Obama administration made statements about the sequester that Bob Woodward later challenged in a 2013 column.
February 22, 2013: Woodward Criticizes Obama Administration Over Sequester Statements
On February 22, 2013, The Washington Post published a column by Bob Woodward in which he criticized the Obama administration for misleading statements about the origins of the sequester.
2014: Robert Gates Praises Woodward's Reporting Skills
In 2014, former CIA and Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised Bob Woodward's ability to elicit sensitive information from sources.
2017: Portrayal in "Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House"
Julian Morris played Bob Woodward in the 2017 film "Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House."
2018: Speech at Virginia Commonwealth University
Bob Woodward spoke at Virginia Commonwealth University following the publication of his book "Fear: Trump in the White House" in 2018.
2018: Online Investigative Journalism Class Announcement
In 2018, Bob Woodward announced his participation in an online class focused on investigative journalism.
2018: Portrayal in "The Front Runner"
Spencer Garrett portrayed Bob Woodward in the 2018 film "The Front Runner."
May 4, 2019: Nixon Tape Revelation at Kent State University Speech
During a speech at Kent State University on May 4, 2019, Bob Woodward revealed a previously unreleased audiotape of President Richard Nixon.
2023: Voice Used in "White House Plumbers"
Robert Redford's voice as Bob Woodward from "All the President's Men" was reused in the 2023 HBO miniseries "White House Plumbers."