History of John Dickerson in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 28, 2025

John Dickerson is an American journalist currently co-anchoring CBS Evening News. He has held prominent positions at CBS News, including co-hosting CBS This Morning and anchoring "The Daily Report with John Dickerson" on CBS News 24/7. He also served as an interim anchor for the CBS Evening News and hosted Face the Nation. Before CBS, Dickerson was a political director and chief Washington correspondent for CBS News. Earlier in his career, he was a political columnist for Slate magazine and covered politics at Time magazine for 12 years, including four as White House correspondent. He is also a substitute anchor for several CBS programs.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 6, 1968: John Dickerson Born

On July 6, 1968, John Frederick Dickerson was born. He is an American journalist and reporter for CBS News.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Graduation from Sidwell Friends School

In 1987, Dickerson graduated from Sidwell Friends School. During high school, he had an internship in the office of John Warner, then a U.S. Senator from Virginia.

July 11, 2003: Revelation of Wilson's Wife's CIA Employment

On July 11, 2003, during a Presidential visit to Niger, Ari Fleischer named Dickerson and David Gregory as reporters to whom he revealed that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA.

July 17, 2003: Co-writing "A War on Wilson?" Article

On July 17, 2003, John Dickerson co-wrote a Time article, "A War on Wilson?", which attributed the leak of Valerie Plame's CIA identity to senior Bush administration officials.

April 13, 2004: Questioning President Bush

During an April 13, 2004 press conference, Dickerson questioned President Bush about his biggest mistake after 9/11.

February 2006: Writing "Where's My Subpoena?"

In February 2006, Dickerson wrote "Where's My Subpoena?" for Slate, speculating about why Patrick Fitzgerald never called him as a grand jury witness.

2006: Publication of 'On Her Trail'

In 2006, Dickerson's book 'On Her Trail: My Mother, Nancy Dickerson, TV News' First Woman Star' was published by Simon & Schuster. The book is about his relationship with his late mother Nancy Dickerson Whitehead.

January 29, 2007: Ari Fleischer's Testimony

On January 29, 2007, during the trial of Scooter Libby, Ari Fleischer testified that he revealed to Dickerson and another reporter that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA on July 11, 2003.

January 31, 2007: Matthew Cooper's Testimony

On January 31, 2007, former Time reporter Matthew Cooper testified that Dickerson's Africa sources contributed information to the article "A War on Wilson?".

2007: End of The Al Franken Show

In 2007, The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio ended, where Dickerson appeared each Wednesday.

February 29, 2008: Questioning Clinton Staff

On February 29, 2008, during a conference call with Hillary Clinton staff, Dickerson asked about a foreign policy moment where Hillary had been tested by a crisis, prompting a long pause.

2009: Hosting Face the Nation

In 2009, Dickerson hosted Face the Nation three times on CBS News.

November 2011: Appointed Political Director of CBS News

In November 2011, John Dickerson was appointed Political Director of CBS News.

June 7, 2015: Host of Face the Nation

On June 7, 2015, John Dickerson took over as host of Face the Nation on CBS.

August 2, 2016: Publication of 'Whistlestop'

On August 2, 2016, John Dickerson published 'Whistlestop: My Favorite Stories from Presidential Campaign History'.

January 21, 2018: Departure from Face the Nation

On January 21, 2018, John Dickerson signed off as host of Face the Nation and was named the new co-anchor of CBS This Morning.

November 2018: Contribution to Khan Academy

In November 2018, John Dickerson contributed educational videos to Khan Academy during the 2018 midterm elections.

May 10, 2019: Announcement as Fill-in Anchor

On May 10, 2019, CBS News President Susan Zirinsky announced that Dickerson would fill in on the CBS Evening News for a week after Jeff Glor stepped down.